diff --git a/app/code/core/Mage/Catalog/Model/Category/Attribute/Backend/Image.php b/app/code/core/Mage/Catalog/Model/Category/Attribute/Backend/Image.php
index d6480aca7f6..8afa634fac1 100644
--- a/app/code/core/Mage/Catalog/Model/Category/Attribute/Backend/Image.php
+++ b/app/code/core/Mage/Catalog/Model/Category/Attribute/Backend/Image.php
@@ -43,6 +43,9 @@ class Mage_Catalog_Model_Category_Attribute_Backend_Image extends Mage_Eav_Model
     public function afterSave($object)
     {
         $value = $object->getData($this->getAttribute()->getName());
+        if (empty($value) && empty($_FILES)) {
+            return $this;
+        }
 
         if (is_array($value) && !empty($value['delete'])) {
             $object->setData($this->getAttribute()->getName(), '');