diff --git a/AutomatedTesting/Gem/PythonTests/largeworlds/gradient_signal/EditorScripts/ImageGradient_ModifiesSurfaces.py b/AutomatedTesting/Gem/PythonTests/largeworlds/gradient_signal/EditorScripts/ImageGradient_ModifiesSurfaces.py
index 23c144a3e2..43807c59be 100644
--- a/AutomatedTesting/Gem/PythonTests/largeworlds/gradient_signal/EditorScripts/ImageGradient_ModifiesSurfaces.py
+++ b/AutomatedTesting/Gem/PythonTests/largeworlds/gradient_signal/EditorScripts/ImageGradient_ModifiesSurfaces.py
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ def ImageGradient_ModifiesSurfaces():
     import azlmbr.editor as editor
     import azlmbr.math as math
     import azlmbr.surface_data as surface_data
+    import azlmbr.vegetation as vegetation
 
     import editor_python_test_tools.hydra_editor_utils as hydra
     from editor_python_test_tools.asset_utils import Asset
@@ -58,7 +59,7 @@ def ImageGradient_ModifiesSurfaces():
     # 1) Open an existing simple level
     hydra.open_base_level()
 
-    # 2) Create an entity with required Image Gradient + Surface Tag Emitter components and assign image asset
+    # 2) Create an entity with required Image Gradient + Surface Tag Emitter components
     components_to_add = ["Image Gradient", "Gradient Transform Modifier", "Shape Reference",
                          "Gradient Surface Tag Emitter"]
     entity_position = math.Vector3(0.0, 0.0, 0.0)
@@ -68,11 +69,6 @@ def ImageGradient_ModifiesSurfaces():
     Report.critical_result(Tests.image_gradient_entity_created, new_entity_id.IsValid())
     image_gradient_entity = EditorEntity.create_editor_entity_at(entity_position, "Image Gradient")
     image_gradient_entity.add_components(components_to_add)
-    test_img_gradient_path = os.path.join("Assets", "ImageGradients", "image_grad_test_gsi.png.streamingimage")
-    asset = Asset.find_asset_by_path(test_img_gradient_path)
-    image_gradient_entity.components[0].set_component_property_value("Configuration|Image Asset", asset.id)
-    success = image_gradient_entity.components[0].get_component_property_value("Configuration|Image Asset") == asset.id
-    Report.result(Tests.image_gradient_assigned, success)
 
     # 3) Create vegetation and planting surface entities, and assign the Image Gradient entity's Shape Reference
 
@@ -101,12 +97,28 @@ def ImageGradient_ModifiesSurfaces():
     grad_surf_tag_emitter_component.set_enabled(False)
     grad_surf_tag_emitter_component.set_enabled(True)
 
+    # Assign the image asset to the image gradient and validate the expected asset was set
+    test_img_gradient_path = os.path.join("Assets", "ImageGradients", "image_grad_test_gsi.png.streamingimage")
+    asset = Asset.find_asset_by_path(test_img_gradient_path)
+    vegetation.ImageGradientRequestBus(bus.Event, "SetImageAssetPath", image_gradient_entity.id, test_img_gradient_path)
+    compare_asset_path = vegetation.ImageGradientRequestBus(bus.Event, "GetImageAssetPath", image_gradient_entity.id)
+    compare_asset = Asset.find_asset_by_path(compare_asset_path)
+    success = compare_asset.id == asset.id
+    Report.result(Tests.image_gradient_assigned, success)
+
     # 5) Validate the expected number of vegetation instances. Instances should only spawn on the modified surface
     num_expected_instances = 168
     success = helper.wait_for_condition(lambda: dynveg.validate_instance_count_in_entity_shape(
         spawner_entity.id, num_expected_instances), 5.0)
     Report.result(Tests.instance_validation, success)
 
+    # 6) Validate there are no vegetation instances after we clear the image gradient asset
+    vegetation.ImageGradientRequestBus(bus.Event, "SetImageAssetPath", image_gradient_entity.id, "")
+    num_expected_instances_after_clear = 0
+    success = helper.wait_for_condition(lambda: dynveg.validate_instance_count_in_entity_shape(
+        spawner_entity.id, num_expected_instances_after_clear), 5.0)
+    Report.result(Tests.instance_validation, success)
+
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
 
diff --git a/Gems/GradientSignal/Code/Source/Components/ImageGradientComponent.cpp b/Gems/GradientSignal/Code/Source/Components/ImageGradientComponent.cpp
index ddbba771d7..ea17679df1 100644
--- a/Gems/GradientSignal/Code/Source/Components/ImageGradientComponent.cpp
+++ b/Gems/GradientSignal/Code/Source/Components/ImageGradientComponent.cpp
@@ -192,6 +192,8 @@ namespace GradientSignal
 
             behaviorContext->EBus<ImageGradientRequestBus>("ImageGradientRequestBus")
                 ->Attribute(AZ::Script::Attributes::Category, "Vegetation")
+                ->Attribute(AZ::Script::Attributes::Scope, AZ::Script::Attributes::ScopeFlags::Automation)
+                ->Attribute(AZ::Script::Attributes::Module, "vegetation")
                 ->Event("GetImageAssetPath", &ImageGradientRequestBus::Events::GetImageAssetPath)
                 ->Event("SetImageAssetPath", &ImageGradientRequestBus::Events::SetImageAssetPath)
                 ->VirtualProperty("ImageAssetPath", "GetImageAssetPath", "SetImageAssetPath")
@@ -433,9 +435,22 @@ namespace GradientSignal
     void ImageGradientComponent::SetImageAssetPath(const AZStd::string& assetPath)
     {
         AZ::Data::AssetId assetId;
-        AZ::Data::AssetCatalogRequestBus::BroadcastResult(assetId, &AZ::Data::AssetCatalogRequestBus::Events::GetAssetIdByPath, assetPath.c_str(), AZ::Data::s_invalidAssetType, false);
-        if (assetId.IsValid())
+        AZ::Data::AssetCatalogRequestBus::BroadcastResult(assetId, &AZ::Data::AssetCatalogRequests::GetAssetIdByPath, assetPath.c_str(), AZ::Data::s_invalidAssetType, false);
+        if (assetId.IsValid() || assetPath.empty())
         {
+            // If we were given a valid asset, then make sure it is the right type
+            if (assetId.IsValid())
+            {
+                AZ::Data::AssetInfo assetInfo;
+                AZ::Data::AssetCatalogRequestBus::BroadcastResult(assetInfo, &AZ::Data::AssetCatalogRequests::GetAssetInfoById, assetId);
+
+                if (assetInfo.m_assetType != azrtti_typeid<AZ::RPI::StreamingImageAsset>())
+                {
+                    AZ_Warning("GradientSignal", false, "Asset type for %s is not AZ::RPI::StreamingImageAsset, will be ignored", assetPath.c_str());
+                    return;
+                }
+            }
+
             AZ::Data::AssetBus::Handler::BusDisconnect(m_configuration.m_imageAsset.GetId());
 
             {
@@ -444,10 +459,18 @@ namespace GradientSignal
                 // Clear our cached image data
                 m_imageData = AZStd::span<const uint8_t>();
 
-                m_configuration.m_imageAsset = AZ::Data::AssetManager::Instance().FindOrCreateAsset(assetId, azrtti_typeid<AZ::RPI::StreamingImageAsset>(), m_configuration.m_imageAsset.GetAutoLoadBehavior());
+                if (assetPath.empty())
+                {
+                    m_configuration.m_imageAsset.Reset();
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    m_configuration.m_imageAsset = AZ::Data::AssetManager::Instance().FindOrCreateAsset(assetId, azrtti_typeid<AZ::RPI::StreamingImageAsset>(), m_configuration.m_imageAsset.GetAutoLoadBehavior());
+                }
             }
 
             SetupDependencies();
+            m_configuration.m_imageAsset.QueueLoad();
             AZ::Data::AssetBus::Handler::BusConnect(m_configuration.m_imageAsset.GetId());
             LmbrCentral::DependencyNotificationBus::Event(GetEntityId(), &LmbrCentral::DependencyNotificationBus::Events::OnCompositionChanged);
         }