We present Keck K-band observations of GX 17+2 which reveal a bright counterpart in the radio error circle of Deutsch et al. (1999), coincident with their star ``A''. These observations imply an amplitude of variability of ~25--40 between our measurements and the IR observations of Deutsch et al. (1999). However, quasi-simultaneous RXTE ASM observations show no X-ray counterpart to this flux variation, suggesting that the IR flux is not due to reprocessed X-ray radiation. We propose that the large radio outbursts observed from this source (Penninx et al. 1988) also give rise to synchrotron flares in the IR.