diff --git a/anki/find.py b/anki/find.py
index ac1cb1d2a..7126c2c7f 100644
--- a/anki/find.py
+++ b/anki/find.py
@@ -22,7 +22,11 @@ class Finder(object):
             return []
         order, rev = self._order(order)
         sql = self._query(preds, order)
-        res = self.col.db.list(sql, *args)
+        try:
+            res = self.col.db.list(sql, *args)
+        except:
+            # invalid grouping
+            return []
         if rev:
             res.reverse()
         return res
diff --git a/tests/test_find.py b/tests/test_find.py
index 4d56f9207..979c47dfe 100644
--- a/tests/test_find.py
+++ b/tests/test_find.py
@@ -204,6 +204,9 @@ def test_findCards():
     assert len(deck.findCards("-(tag:monkey OR tag:sheep)")) == 6
     assert len(deck.findCards("tag:monkey or (tag:sheep sheep)")) == 2
     assert len(deck.findCards("tag:monkey or (tag:sheep octopus)")) == 1
+    # invalid grouping shouldn't error
+    assert len(deck.findCards(")")) == 0
+    assert len(deck.findCards("(()")) == 0
 
 def test_findReplace():
     deck = getEmptyDeck()