diff --git a/js/ui/searchController.js b/js/ui/searchController.js
index 692cb1818..6dc65d643 100644
--- a/js/ui/searchController.js
+++ b/js/ui/searchController.js
@@ -186,9 +186,10 @@ export const SearchController = GObject.registerClass({
     }
 
     _onStageKeyFocusChanged() {
-        let focus = global.stage.get_key_focus();
-        let appearFocused = this._entry.contains(focus) ||
-                             this._searchResults.contains(focus);
+        const focus = global.stage.get_key_focus();
+        const appearFocused = focus != null &&
+            (this._entry.contains(focus) ||
+             this._searchResults.contains(focus));
 
         this._text.set_cursor_visible(appearFocused);