A photothermographic element has on a support a photo-sensitive layer, and a first non-photosensitive layer containing (1) a base-bleachable dye or a salt thereof and (2) a binder. The first non-photosensitive layer or a second non-photosensitive layer disposed adjacent thereto contains (3) a base precursor and (4) a melting point depressant. The dye (1) becomes more bleachable and the processed image becomes more water resistant.