diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/tag_browser/ui.py b/src/calibre/gui2/tag_browser/ui.py
index 095a6fe742..541137dc35 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/tag_browser/ui.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/tag_browser/ui.py
@@ -516,6 +516,8 @@ class TagBrowserWidget(QWidget):  # {{{
         self.search_button.setVisible(shown)
         self.item_search.setVisible(shown)
         self.alter_tb.setToolButtonStyle(Qt.ToolButtonIconOnly if shown else Qt.ToolButtonTextBesideIcon)
+        if shown:
+            self.item_search.setFocus(Qt.OtherFocusReason)
 
     def toggle_item(self):
         self.tags_view.toggle_current_index()