diff --git a/hubsrht/blueprints/public.py b/hubsrht/blueprints/public.py
index 210c6de..84278f1 100644
--- a/hubsrht/blueprints/public.py
+++ b/hubsrht/blueprints/public.py
@@ -45,9 +45,13 @@ def project_index():
             .filter(Project.checklist_complete))
 
     search = request.args.get("search")
+    search_error = None
     if search:
-        projects = search_by(projects, search,
-                [Project.name, Project.description])
+        try:
+            projects = search_by(projects, search,
+                    [Project.name, Project.description])
+        except ValueError as e:
+            search_error = str(e)
 
     sort = request.args.get("sort")
     if sort and sort == "recently-updated":
@@ -68,7 +72,7 @@ def project_index():
 
     return render_template("project-index.html", projects=projects,
             search=search, features=features, sort=sort, **pagination,
-            search_keys=["sort"])
+            search_keys=["sort"], search_error=search_error)
 
 @public.route("/projects/featured")
 def featured_projects():
diff --git a/hubsrht/templates/project-index.html b/hubsrht/templates/project-index.html
index 07c9fdb..8993f3a 100644
--- a/hubsrht/templates/project-index.html
+++ b/hubsrht/templates/project-index.html
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
           name="search"
           type="text"
           placeholder="Search all public projects"
-          class="form-control"
+          class="form-control {% if search_error %} is-invalid{% endif %}"
           value="{{search if search else ""}}" />
         {% if search_error %}
           <div class="invalid-feedback">{{ search_error }}</div>