diff --git a/src/osx/cocoa/srchctrl.mm b/src/osx/cocoa/srchctrl.mm
index 982151adfb..e1e5c585d8 100644
--- a/src/osx/cocoa/srchctrl.mm
+++ b/src/osx/cocoa/srchctrl.mm
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ public :
         if ( wxpeer )
         {
             NSString *searchString = [m_searchField stringValue];
-            if ( searchString == nil )
+            if ( searchString == nil || !searchString.length )
             {
                 wxpeer->HandleSearchFieldCancelHit();
             }