diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/ui.py b/src/calibre/gui2/ui.py
index b33c059c9b..6a74ccd6ea 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/ui.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/ui.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ from PyQt4.Qt import Qt, SIGNAL, QTimer, \
                      QPixmap, QMenu, QIcon, pyqtSignal, \
                      QDialog, \
                      QSystemTrayIcon, QApplication, QKeySequence, \
-                     QMessageBox, QHelpEvent
+                     QMessageBox, QHelpEvent, QAction
 
 from calibre import  prints
 from calibre.constants import __appname__, isosx
@@ -198,6 +198,10 @@ class Main(MainWindow, MainWindowMixin, DeviceMixin, EmailMixin, # {{{
         self.system_tray_icon.activated.connect(
             self.system_tray_icon_activated)
 
+        self.esc_action = QAction(self)
+        self.addAction(self.esc_action)
+        self.esc_action.setShortcut(QKeySequence(Qt.Key_Escape))
+        self.esc_action.triggered.connect(self.esc)
 
         ####################### Start spare job server ########################
         QTimer.singleShot(1000, self.add_spare_server)
@@ -294,6 +298,8 @@ class Main(MainWindow, MainWindowMixin, DeviceMixin, EmailMixin, # {{{
                         'the file: %s<p>The '
                         'log will be displayed automatically.')%self.gui_debug, show=True)
 
+    def esc(self, *args):
+        self.search.clear()
 
     def start_content_server(self):
         from calibre.library.server.main import start_threaded_server
@@ -305,7 +311,6 @@ class Main(MainWindow, MainWindowMixin, DeviceMixin, EmailMixin, # {{{
         self.content_server.state_callback(True)
         self.test_server_timer = QTimer.singleShot(10000, self.test_server)
 
-
     def resizeEvent(self, ev):
         MainWindow.resizeEvent(self, ev)
         self.search.setMaximumWidth(self.width()-150)
diff --git a/src/calibre/manual/gui.rst b/src/calibre/manual/gui.rst
index c84800116d..3718f830f3 100644
--- a/src/calibre/manual/gui.rst
+++ b/src/calibre/manual/gui.rst
@@ -478,6 +478,8 @@ Calibre has several keyboard shortcuts to save you time and mouse movement. Thes
       - Focus the search bar
     * - :kbd:`Shift+Ctrl+F`
       - Open the advanced search dialog
+    * - :kbd:`Esc`
+      - Clear the current search
     * - :kbd:`N or F3`
       - Find the next book that matches the current search (only works if the highlight checkbox next to the search bar is checked)
     * - :kbd:`Shift+N or Shift+F3`