                 virtualRendererIndices.splice(vrItemIndex, 1);
         }
         
-        // Remove the old renderer at index from indexToRenderer[], from the 
+        // Remove the old renderer at index (if any) from indexToRenderer[], from the
         // DataGroup, and clear its data property (if any).
         
         const oldRenderer:IVisualElement = indexToRenderer[index];

        var child:DisplayObject = oldRenderer as DisplayObject;
        if (child)
            super.removeChild(child);
        
        invalidateSize();
        invalidateDisplayList();

        if (indexToRenderer.length > index)
            indexToRenderer.splice(index, 1);
        
        if (oldRenderer)
        {
        dispatchEvent(new RendererExistenceEvent(
            RendererExistenceEvent.RENDERER_REMOVE, false, false, oldRenderer, index, item));
        
