diff --git a/modules/export.js b/modules/export.js
index 469fafa4..73308169 100644
--- a/modules/export.js
+++ b/modules/export.js
@@ -265,6 +265,7 @@ async function getMapURL(type, options = {}) {
     if (pattern) cloneDefs.appendChild(pattern.cloneNode(true));
   }
 
+  if (!cloneEl.getElementById("defs-hatching").children.length) cloneEl.getElementById("defs-hatching")?.remove(); // remove unused hatching group
   if (!cloneEl.getElementById("fogging-cont")) cloneEl.getElementById("fog")?.remove(); // remove unused fog
   if (!cloneEl.getElementById("regions")) cloneEl.getElementById("statePaths")?.remove(); // removed unused statePaths
   if (!cloneEl.getElementById("labels")) cloneEl.getElementById("textPaths")?.remove(); // removed unused textPaths