diff --git a/src/fx.js b/src/fx.js
index fd86ce35b..575449a24 100644
--- a/src/fx.js
+++ b/src/fx.js
@@ -86,11 +86,13 @@
     }
     if (duration > 0) this.bind(endEvent, wrappedCallback)
 
-    setTimeout(function() {
-      that.css(cssValues)
-      if (duration <= 0) setTimeout(function() {
-        that.each(function(){ wrappedCallback.call(this) })
-      }, 0)
+    // trigger page reflow so new elements can animate
+    this.size() && this.get(0).clientLeft
+
+    this.css(cssValues)
+
+    if (duration <= 0) setTimeout(function() {
+      that.each(function(){ wrappedCallback.call(this) })
     }, 0)
 
     return this
diff --git a/test/fx.html b/test/fx.html
index 44a53e08c..a453a259a 100644
--- a/test/fx.html
+++ b/test/fx.html
@@ -239,6 +239,10 @@ <h1>Zepto effects tests</h1>
             t.assertStyle('linear',   el, 'animation-timing-function')
           })
         })
+      },
+
+      testEmptyCollection: function(t){
+        t.assert($(null).animate({opacity:0}))
       }
     })
   })()