diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/search.py b/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/search.py
index 295f586229..c270e54b78 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/search.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/search.py
@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@ class ConfigWidget(ConfigWidgetBase, Ui_Form):
         r('limit_search_columns', prefs)
         r('use_primary_find_in_search', prefs)
         r('search_tool_bar_shows_text', gprefs)
+        ossm = self.opt_saved_search_menu_is_hierarchical
+        ossm.setChecked('search' in db.new_api.pref('categories_using_hierarchy', []))
+        ossm.stateChanged.connect(self.changed_signal)
         r('case_sensitive', prefs)
         fl = db.field_metadata.get_search_terms()
         r('limit_search_columns_to', prefs, setting=CommaSeparatedList, choices=fl)
@@ -234,6 +237,13 @@ class ConfigWidget(ConfigWidgetBase, Ui_Form):
                           str(self.similar_series_search_key.currentText()))
         self.db.new_api.set_pref('similar_publisher_search_key',
                           str(self.similar_publisher_search_key.currentText()))
+
+        cats = set(self.db.new_api.pref('categories_using_hierarchy', []))
+        if self.opt_saved_search_menu_is_hierarchical.isChecked():
+            cats.add('search')
+        else:
+            cats.discard('search')
+        self.db.new_api.set_pref('categories_using_hierarchy', list(cats))
         return ConfigWidgetBase.commit(self)
 
     def refresh_gui(self, gui):
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/search.ui b/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/search.ui
index ebc1957cc6..a646297174 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/search.ui
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/search.ui
@@ -147,6 +147,19 @@
          </property>
         </widget>
        </item>
+       <item row="6" column="0">
+        <widget class="QCheckBox" name="opt_saved_search_menu_is_hierarchical">
+         <property name="text">
+          <string>Show saved searches as a hierarchy</string>
+         </property>
+         <property name="toolTip">
+          <string>&lt;p&gt;Hierarchical items are separated by periods.
+                  Changing this box will also change the 'Saved Searches' box
+                  in Preferences / Look &amp; feel / Tag browser /
+                  Hierarchy and searching&lt;/p&gt;</string>
+         </property>
+        </widget>
+       </item>
       </layout>
      </widget>
      <widget class="QWidget" name="tab_2">
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/search_box.py b/src/calibre/gui2/search_box.py
index 546b1f7eb2..7f26d8c0d0 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/search_box.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/search_box.py
@@ -443,23 +443,29 @@ class SavedSearchBoxMixin:  # {{{
                      partial(self.do_saved_search_edit, None))
         m.addSeparator()
         db = self.current_db
+        folder_icon = QIcon.ic('folder_saved_search.png')
+        search_icon = QIcon.ic('search.png')
+        use_hierarchy = 'search' in db.new_api.pref('categories_using_hierarchy', [])
         submenus = {}
         for name in sorted(db.saved_search_names(), key=lambda x: primary_sort_key(x.strip())):
-            components = tuple(n.strip() for n in name.split('.'))
-            hierarchy = components[:-1]
-            last = components[-1]
-            current_menu = m
-            # Walk the hierarchy, creating submenus as needed
-            for i,c in enumerate(hierarchy, start=1):
-                hierarchical_prefix = '.'.join(hierarchy[:i])
-                if hierarchical_prefix not in submenus:
-                    current_menu = current_menu.addMenu(c)
-                    current_menu.setIcon(QIcon.ic('folder_saved_search.png'))
-                    submenus[hierarchical_prefix] = current_menu
-                else:
-                    current_menu = submenus[hierarchical_prefix]
-            ac = current_menu.addAction(last, partial(self.search.set_search_string, 'search:"='+name+'"'))
-            ac.setIcon(QIcon.ic('search.png'))
+            if use_hierarchy:
+                components = tuple(n.strip() for n in name.split('.'))
+                hierarchy = components[:-1]
+                last = components[-1]
+                current_menu = m
+                # Walk the hierarchy, creating submenus as needed
+                for i,c in enumerate(hierarchy, start=1):
+                    hierarchical_prefix = '.'.join(hierarchy[:i])
+                    if hierarchical_prefix not in submenus:
+                        current_menu = current_menu.addMenu(c)
+                        current_menu.setIcon(folder_icon)
+                        submenus[hierarchical_prefix] = current_menu
+                    else:
+                        current_menu = submenus[hierarchical_prefix]
+                ac = current_menu.addAction(last, partial(self.search.set_search_string, 'search:"='+name+'"'))
+            else:
+                ac = m.addAction(name, partial(self.search.set_search_string, 'search:"='+name+'"'))
+            ac.setIcon(search_icon)
 
     def saved_searches_changed(self, set_restriction=None, recount=True):
         self.build_search_restriction_list()