diff --git a/hubsrht/blueprints/users.py b/hubsrht/blueprints/users.py
index 8617ecf..0528a20 100644
--- a/hubsrht/blueprints/users.py
+++ b/hubsrht/blueprints/users.py
@@ -55,11 +55,15 @@ def projects_GET(owner):
         projects = projects.filter(Project.visibility == Visibility.public)
 
     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)
 
     projects, pagination = paginate_query(projects)
 
     return render_template("projects.html", user=owner, projects=projects,
-            search=search, **pagination)
+            search=search, search_error=search_error, **pagination)
diff --git a/hubsrht/templates/projects.html b/hubsrht/templates/projects.html
index ad43d8d..5c50c87 100644
--- a/hubsrht/templates/projects.html
+++ b/hubsrht/templates/projects.html
@@ -35,8 +35,8 @@
         name="search"
         type="text"
         placeholder="Search {{user.canonical_name}}'s projects"
-        class="form-control"
-        value="{{search if search else ""}}" />
+        class="form-control {% if search_error %}is-invalid{% endif %}"
+        value="{{search or ""}}" />
       {% if search_error %}
         <div class="invalid-feedback">{{ search_error }}</div>
       {% endif %}