diff --git a/qt/aqt/browser.py b/qt/aqt/browser.py
index 81a50ae4e..ccb7d752c 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/browser.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/browser.py
@@ -10,8 +10,6 @@ from dataclasses import dataclass
 from operator import itemgetter
 from typing import List, Sequence, Tuple, cast
 
-from markdown import markdown
-
 import aqt
 import aqt.forms
 from anki.cards import Card
@@ -64,6 +62,7 @@ from aqt.utils import (
     saveSplitter,
     saveState,
     shortcut,
+    show_invalid_search_error,
     showInfo,
     showWarning,
     tooltip,
@@ -91,14 +90,6 @@ class SearchContext:
     card_ids: Optional[Sequence[int]] = None
 
 
-def show_invalid_search_error(err: Exception):
-    "Render search errors in markdown, then display a warning."
-    text = str(err)
-    if isinstance(err, InvalidInput):
-        text = markdown(text)
-    showWarning(text)
-
-
 # Data model
 ##########################################################################
 
diff --git a/qt/aqt/dyndeckconf.py b/qt/aqt/dyndeckconf.py
index 2d18de317..de396c283 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/dyndeckconf.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/dyndeckconf.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ from typing import List, Optional
 
 import aqt
 from anki.lang import without_unicode_isolation
+from anki.rsbackend import InvalidInput
 from aqt.qt import *
 from aqt.utils import (
     TR,
@@ -13,6 +14,7 @@ from aqt.utils import (
     openHelp,
     restoreGeom,
     saveGeom,
+    show_invalid_search_error,
     showWarning,
     tr,
 )
@@ -114,25 +116,27 @@ class DeckConf(QDialog):
             else:
                 d["delays"] = None
 
-        terms = [[f.search.text(), f.limit.value(), f.order.currentIndex()]]
+        search = self.mw.col.backend.normalize_search(f.search.text())
+        terms = [[search, f.limit.value(), f.order.currentIndex()]]
 
         if f.secondFilter.isChecked():
-            terms.append(
-                [f.search_2.text(), f.limit_2.value(), f.order_2.currentIndex()]
-            )
+            search_2 = self.mw.col.backend.normalize_search(f.search_2.text())
+            terms.append([search_2, f.limit_2.value(), f.order_2.currentIndex()])
 
         d["terms"] = terms
         d["previewDelay"] = f.previewDelay.value()
 
         self.mw.col.decks.save(d)
-        return True
 
     def reject(self):
         self.ok = False
         QDialog.reject(self)
 
     def accept(self):
-        if not self.saveConf():
+        try:
+            self.saveConf()
+        except InvalidInput as err:
+            show_invalid_search_error(err)
             return
         if not self.mw.col.sched.rebuild_filtered_deck(self.deck["id"]):
             if askUser(tr(TR.DECKS_THE_PROVIDED_SEARCH_DID_NOT_MATCH)):
diff --git a/qt/aqt/utils.py b/qt/aqt/utils.py
index 0030dc462..74be71968 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/utils.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/utils.py
@@ -9,9 +9,11 @@ import subprocess
 import sys
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, List, Optional, Union, cast
 
+from markdown import markdown
+
 import anki
 import aqt
-from anki.rsbackend import TR  # pylint: disable=unused-import
+from anki.rsbackend import TR, InvalidInput  # pylint: disable=unused-import
 from anki.utils import invalidFilename, isMac, isWin, noBundledLibs, versionWithBuild
 from aqt.qt import *
 from aqt.theme import theme_manager
@@ -67,6 +69,14 @@ def showCritical(text, parent=None, help="", title="Anki", textFormat=None):
     return showInfo(text, parent, help, "critical", title=title, textFormat=textFormat)
 
 
+def show_invalid_search_error(err: Exception):
+    "Render search errors in markdown, then display a warning."
+    text = str(err)
+    if isinstance(err, InvalidInput):
+        text = markdown(text)
+    showWarning(text)
+
+
 def showInfo(
     text,
     parent=False,