diff --git a/Source/Scene/BillboardCollection.js b/Source/Scene/BillboardCollection.js
index bf87bb75e79c..9a1975acc216 100644
--- a/Source/Scene/BillboardCollection.js
+++ b/Source/Scene/BillboardCollection.js
@@ -1015,6 +1015,8 @@ define([
      * @exception {RuntimeError} image with id must be in the atlas.
      */
     BillboardCollection.prototype.update = function(context, frameState, commandList) {
+        removeBillboards(this);
+
         var billboards = this._billboards;
         var billboardsLength = billboards.length;
 
@@ -1036,7 +1038,6 @@ define([
             return;
         }
 
-        removeBillboards(this);
         updateMode(this, frameState);
 
         billboards = this._billboards;
diff --git a/Specs/Scene/BillboardCollectionSpec.js b/Specs/Scene/BillboardCollectionSpec.js
index 9ec937ce6872..a9366ed83db0 100644
--- a/Specs/Scene/BillboardCollectionSpec.js
+++ b/Specs/Scene/BillboardCollectionSpec.js
@@ -122,6 +122,12 @@ defineSuite([
         expect(b.id).not.toBeDefined();
     });
 
+    it('can add and remove before first update.', function() {
+        var b = billboards.add();
+        billboards.remove(b);
+        billboards.update(context, frameState, []);
+    });
+
     it('explicitly constructs a billboard', function() {
         var b = billboards.add({
             show : false,