diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/ui.py b/src/calibre/gui2/ui.py
index 63db7a561c..e035777c5e 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/ui.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/ui.py
@@ -359,7 +359,7 @@ class Main(MainWindow, MainWindowMixin, DeviceMixin, EmailMixin, # {{{
                         'log will be displayed automatically.')%self.gui_debug, show=True)
 
     def esc(self, *args):
-        self.search.clear()
+        self.clear_button.click()
 
     def start_content_server(self, check_started=True):
         from calibre.library.server.main import start_threaded_server