diff --git a/js/ui/searchController.js b/js/ui/searchController.js
index ba743a909..ef7a9d50e 100644
--- a/js/ui/searchController.js
+++ b/js/ui/searchController.js
@@ -68,7 +68,8 @@ var SearchController = GObject.registerClass({
             this._searchResults.popupMenuDefault();
         });
         this._entry.connect('notify::mapped', this._onMapped.bind(this));
-        global.stage.connect('notify::key-focus', this._onStageKeyFocusChanged.bind(this));
+        global.stage.connectObject('notify::key-focus',
+            this._onStageKeyFocusChanged.bind(this), this);
 
         this._entry.set_primary_icon(new St.Icon({
             style_class: 'search-entry-icon',