diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/tag_browser/ui.py b/src/calibre/gui2/tag_browser/ui.py
index 79d4a85f84..8760ccd23b 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/tag_browser/ui.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/tag_browser/ui.py
@@ -334,7 +334,7 @@ class TagBrowserWidget(QWidget):  # {{{
         search_layout = QHBoxLayout()
         self._layout.addLayout(search_layout)
         self.item_search = HistoryLineEdit(parent)
-        self.item_search.setMinimumContentsLength(10)
+        self.item_search.setMinimumContentsLength(5)
         self.item_search.setSizeAdjustPolicy(self.item_search.AdjustToMinimumContentsLengthWithIcon)
         try:
             self.item_search.lineEdit().setPlaceholderText(