diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/search_restriction_mixin.py b/src/calibre/gui2/search_restriction_mixin.py
index ce805558d5..c9936a07d3 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/search_restriction_mixin.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/search_restriction_mixin.py
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@ class SearchRestrictionMixin(object):
 
         current_lib = db.data.get_base_restriction_name()
 
-        if current_lib == '':
+        if not current_lib:
             a = m.addAction(self.checked, self.no_restriction)
         else:
             a = m.addAction(self.empty, self.no_restriction)
@@ -576,7 +576,7 @@ class SearchRestrictionMixin(object):
         self.search_restriction.setCurrentIndex(index)
         self.apply_search_restriction(index)
 
-    def apply_named_search_restriction(self, name):
+    def apply_named_search_restriction(self, name=None):
         if not self.search_restriction_list_built:
             self.build_search_restriction_list()
         if not name:
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/ui.py b/src/calibre/gui2/ui.py
index f6b7330343..66038e8ade 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/ui.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/ui.py
@@ -671,7 +671,12 @@ class Main(MainWindow, MainWindowMixin, DeviceMixin, EmailMixin,  # {{{
                 return
 
             def doit():
-                self.library_view.select_rows((book_id,))
+                rows = self.library_view.select_rows((book_id,))
+                db = self.current_db
+                if not rows and (db.data.get_base_restriction_name() or db.data.get_search_restriction_name()):
+                    self.apply_virtual_library()
+                    self.apply_named_search_restriction()
+                    self.library_view.select_rows((book_id,))
 
             self.perform_url_action(library_id, library_path, doit)
         elif action == 'view-book':