diff --git a/src/tribler-gui/tribler_gui/tribler_window.py b/src/tribler-gui/tribler_gui/tribler_window.py
index 8ce992173ce..f8407a4fe8f 100644
--- a/src/tribler-gui/tribler_gui/tribler_window.py
+++ b/src/tribler-gui/tribler_gui/tribler_window.py
@@ -1029,10 +1029,14 @@ def clicked_search_bar(self, checked=False):
     def on_top_search_bar_return_pressed(self):
         # Initiate a new search query and switch to search loading/results page
         query = self.top_search_bar.text()
-        if query:
-            self.search_results_page.search(query)
-            self.deselect_all_menu_buttons()
-            self.stackedWidget.setCurrentIndex(PAGE_SEARCH_RESULTS)
+        if not query:
+            return
+
+        if not self.search_results_page.search(query):
+            return
+
+        self.deselect_all_menu_buttons()
+        self.stackedWidget.setCurrentIndex(PAGE_SEARCH_RESULTS)
 
     def clicked_menu_button_discovered(self):
         self.deselect_all_menu_buttons()
diff --git a/src/tribler-gui/tribler_gui/widgets/searchresultswidget.py b/src/tribler-gui/tribler_gui/widgets/searchresultswidget.py
index 14a73661130..32ae8a0dc16 100644
--- a/src/tribler-gui/tribler_gui/widgets/searchresultswidget.py
+++ b/src/tribler-gui/tribler_gui/widgets/searchresultswidget.py
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ def check_can_show(self, query):
 
     def search(self, query):
         if not self.check_can_show(query):
-            return
+            return None
 
         self.last_search_query = query
         self.last_search_time = time.time()
@@ -113,9 +113,11 @@ def register_request(response):
             self.timeout_progress_bar.start()
             self.setCurrentWidget(self.loading_page)
 
-        params = {'txt_filter': to_fts_query(query), 'hide_xxx': self.hide_xxx}
+        if (fts_query := to_fts_query(query)) is None:
+            return None
 
-        TriblerNetworkRequest('remote_query', register_request, method="PUT", url_params=params)
+        params = {'txt_filter': fts_query, 'hide_xxx': self.hide_xxx}
+        return TriblerNetworkRequest('remote_query', register_request, method="PUT", url_params=params)
 
     def reset(self):
         if self.currentWidget() == self.results_page: