diff --git a/iwm_browser/templates/search.html b/iwm_browser/templates/search.html
index 4ac1efe..1f5909d 100644
--- a/iwm_browser/templates/search.html
+++ b/iwm_browser/templates/search.html
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
         <div class='searchBar'>
           <form action="/search" method="get">
             <div class="search_entry">
-              <input type='text' id="q" name="q" value='{{ QueryValues["q"] }}' placeholder="Enter a level name or code"/>
+              <input type='text' id="q" name="q" value='{{ QueryValues["q"] if QueryValues["q"] is not none }}' placeholder="Enter a level name or code"/>
               <button class="searchButton" id='searchButton' type='submit'>🔍</button>
             </div>
             <details>