diff --git a/epdb/views.py b/epdb/views.py
index 50d88fa5..08134917 100644
--- a/epdb/views.py
+++ b/epdb/views.py
@@ -681,7 +681,7 @@ def search(request):
 
     if request.method == "GET":
         package_urls = request.GET.getlist("packages")
-        searchterm = request.GET.get("search").strip()
+        searchterm = request.GET.get("search", "").strip()
 
         mode = request.GET.get("mode")