diff --git a/qt/aqt/browser.py b/qt/aqt/browser.py
index c3a27a76f..e75e5a0eb 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/browser.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/browser.py
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ class DataModel(QAbstractTableModel):
     def search(self, txt: str) -> None:
         self.beginReset()
         self.cards = []
-        invalid = False
+        error_message: Optional[str] = None
         try:
             ctx = SearchContext(search=txt)
             gui_hooks.browser_will_search(ctx)
@@ -180,13 +180,12 @@ class DataModel(QAbstractTableModel):
             gui_hooks.browser_did_search(ctx)
             self.cards = ctx.card_ids
         except Exception as e:
-            print("search failed:", e)
-            invalid = True
+            error_message = str(e)
         finally:
             self.endReset()
 
-        if invalid:
-            showWarning(_("Invalid search - please check for typing mistakes."))
+        if error_message:
+            showWarning(error_message)
 
     def reset(self):
         self.beginReset()
diff --git a/rslib/ftl/search.ftl b/rslib/ftl/search.ftl
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..269080a98
--- /dev/null
+++ b/rslib/ftl/search.ftl
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+search-invalid = Invalid search - please check for typing mistakes.
diff --git a/rslib/src/backend/mod.rs b/rslib/src/backend/mod.rs
index 4065e7a45..6ab1c0068 100644
--- a/rslib/src/backend/mod.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/backend/mod.rs
@@ -145,6 +145,7 @@ fn anki_error_to_proto_error(err: AnkiError, i18n: &I18n) -> pb::BackendError {
         AnkiError::NotFound => V::NotFoundError(Empty {}),
         AnkiError::Existing => V::Exists(Empty {}),
         AnkiError::DeckIsFiltered => V::DeckIsFiltered(Empty {}),
+        AnkiError::SearchError(_) => V::InvalidInput(pb::Empty {}),
     };
 
     pb::BackendError {
diff --git a/rslib/src/err.rs b/rslib/src/err.rs
index e146db1c1..5e07264ab 100644
--- a/rslib/src/err.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/err.rs
@@ -54,6 +54,9 @@ pub enum AnkiError {
 
     #[fail(display = "Unable to place item in/under a filtered deck.")]
     DeckIsFiltered,
+
+    #[fail(display = "Invalid search.")]
+    SearchError(Option<String>),
 }
 
 // error helpers
@@ -109,6 +112,13 @@ impl AnkiError {
                 DBErrorKind::Corrupt => info.clone(),
                 _ => format!("{:?}", self),
             },
+            AnkiError::SearchError(details) => {
+                if let Some(details) = details {
+                    details.to_owned()
+                } else {
+                    i18n.tr(TR::SearchInvalid).to_string()
+                }
+            }
             _ => format!("{:?}", self),
         }
     }
@@ -138,6 +148,11 @@ impl From<io::Error> for AnkiError {
 
 impl From<rusqlite::Error> for AnkiError {
     fn from(err: rusqlite::Error) -> Self {
+        if let rusqlite::Error::SqliteFailure(_error, Some(reason)) = &err {
+            if reason.contains("regex parse error") {
+                return AnkiError::SearchError(Some(reason.to_owned()));
+            }
+        }
         AnkiError::DBError {
             info: format!("{:?}", err),
             kind: DBErrorKind::Other,
diff --git a/rslib/src/search/parser.rs b/rslib/src/search/parser.rs
index 5a2ba7ac5..c5e8cd2d9 100644
--- a/rslib/src/search/parser.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/search/parser.rs
@@ -119,8 +119,8 @@ pub(super) fn parse(input: &str) -> Result<Vec<Node>> {
         return Ok(vec![Node::Search(SearchNode::WholeCollection)]);
     }
 
-    let (_, nodes) = all_consuming(group_inner)(input)
-        .map_err(|_e| AnkiError::invalid_input("unable to parse search"))?;
+    let (_, nodes) =
+        all_consuming(group_inner)(input).map_err(|_e| AnkiError::SearchError(None))?;
 
     Ok(nodes)
 }