diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/dialogs/search.py b/src/calibre/gui2/dialogs/search.py
index f2b11b4bf5..35a473cdfb 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/dialogs/search.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/dialogs/search.py
@@ -31,8 +31,8 @@ def init_dateop(cb):
             ('>', _('after')),
             ('<=', _('before or equal to')),
             ('>=', _('after or equal to')),
-            ('s', _('set')),
-            ('u', _('unset')),
+            ('s', _('is set')),
+            ('u', _('is unset')),
     ]:
         cb.addItem(desc, op)