diff --git a/pylib/anki/_backend.py b/pylib/anki/_backend.py
index 03fbb30d6..9a68cf644 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/_backend.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/_backend.py
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ def backend_exception_to_pylib(err: backend_pb2.BackendError) -> Exception:
         return BackendError(err.message, help_page, context, backtrace)
 
     elif val == kind.SEARCH_ERROR:
-        return SearchError(markdown(err.message), help_page, context, backtrace)
+        return SearchError(err.message, help_page, context, backtrace)
 
     elif val == kind.UNDO_EMPTY:
         return UndoEmpty(err.message, help_page, context, backtrace)
diff --git a/qt/aqt/browser/browser.py b/qt/aqt/browser/browser.py
index 5d41f4ac9..e222f62c2 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/browser/browser.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/browser/browser.py
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ import re
 from collections.abc import Callable, Sequence
 from typing import Any, cast
 
+from markdown import markdown
+
 import aqt
 import aqt.browser
 import aqt.editor
@@ -20,7 +22,7 @@ from anki.cards import Card, CardId
 from anki.collection import Collection, Config, OpChanges, SearchNode
 from anki.consts import *
 from anki.decks import DeckId
-from anki.errors import NotFoundError
+from anki.errors import NotFoundError, SearchError
 from anki.lang import without_unicode_isolation
 from anki.models import NotetypeId
 from anki.notes import NoteId
@@ -498,6 +500,8 @@ class Browser(QMainWindow):
         text = self.current_search()
         try:
             normed = self.col.build_search_string(text)
+        except SearchError as err:
+            showWarning(markdown(str(err)))
         except Exception as err:
             showWarning(str(err))
         else: