diff --git a/anki/find.py b/anki/find.py
index c35af4c6a..e3f4e5a5f 100644
--- a/anki/find.py
+++ b/anki/find.py
@@ -406,7 +406,7 @@ select distinct(n.id) from cards c, notes n where c.nid=n.id and """+preds
             # nothing has that field
             return
         # gather nids
-        regex = val.replace("_", ".").replace("%", ".*")
+        regex = re.escape(val).replace("\\_", ".").replace("\\%", ".*")
         nids = []
         for (id,mid,flds) in self.col.db.execute("""
 select id, mid, flds from notes