diff --git a/cps/web.py b/cps/web.py
index 6ef8c0cd..7d85cd3c 100755
--- a/cps/web.py
+++ b/cps/web.py
@@ -474,8 +474,9 @@ def admin():
 @app.route("/search", methods=["GET"])
 @login_required_if_no_ano
 def search():
-    term = request.args.get("query").strip()
+    term = request.args.get("query")
     if term:
+        term=term.strip()
         random = db.session.query(db.Books).order_by(func.random()).limit(config.RANDOM_BOOKS)
         entries = db.session.query(db.Books).filter(db.or_(db.Books.tags.any(db.Tags.name.like("%"+term+"%")),db.Books.series.any(db.Series.name.like("%"+term+"%")),db.Books.authors.any(db.Authors.name.like("%"+term+"%")),db.Books.title.like("%"+term+"%"))).all()
         return render_template('search.html', searchterm=term, entries=entries)