diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/viewer/search.py b/src/calibre/gui2/viewer/search.py
index e82ef6d015..dd523f68b4 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/viewer/search.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/viewer/search.py
@@ -333,7 +333,9 @@ class SearchInput(QWidget):  # {{{
     def find_previous(self):
         self.emit_search(backwards=True)
 
-    def focus_input(self):
+    def focus_input(self, text=None):
+        if text and hasattr(text, 'rstrip'):
+            self.search_box.setText(text)
         self.search_box.setFocus(Qt.OtherFocusReason)
         le = self.search_box.lineEdit()
         le.end(False)
@@ -454,8 +456,8 @@ class SearchPanel(QWidget):  # {{{
     def update_hidden_message(self):
         self.hidden_message.setVisible(self.results.current_result_is_hidden)
 
-    def focus_input(self):
-        self.search_input.focus_input()
+    def focus_input(self, text=None):
+        self.search_input.focus_input(text)
 
     def start_search(self, search_query, current_name):
         if self.current_search is not None and search_query == self.current_search:
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/viewer/ui.py b/src/calibre/gui2/viewer/ui.py
index 7840658adf..cf016fc6d9 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/viewer/ui.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/viewer/ui.py
@@ -288,10 +288,13 @@ class EbookViewer(MainWindow):
         self.toc_dock.setVisible(not self.toc_dock.isVisible())
 
     def show_search(self):
+        self.web_view.get_current_cfi(self.show_search_with_current_selection)
+
+    def show_search_with_current_selection(self, pos_data):
         self.search_dock.setVisible(True)
         self.search_dock.activateWindow()
         self.search_dock.raise_()
-        self.search_widget.focus_input()
+        self.search_widget.focus_input(pos_data.get('selected_text'))
 
     def start_search(self, search_query):
         name = self.web_view.current_content_file