diff --git a/qt/aqt/browser.py b/qt/aqt/browser.py
index b43d5b1a2..e3ff7d7f2 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/browser.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/browser.py
@@ -188,6 +188,7 @@ class DataModel(QAbstractTableModel):
             ctx = SearchContext(search=txt, browser=self.browser)
             gui_hooks.browser_will_search(ctx)
             if ctx.card_ids is None:
+                ctx.search = self.browser.norm_search(ctx.search)
                 ctx.card_ids = self.col.find_cards(ctx.search, order=ctx.order)
             gui_hooks.browser_did_search(ctx)
             self.cards = ctx.card_ids
@@ -818,6 +819,12 @@ class Browser(QMainWindow):
             # no row change will fire
             self._onRowChanged(None, None)
 
+    def norm_search(self, search: str) -> str:
+        normed = self.col.backend.norm_search(search)
+        self._lastSearchTxt = normed
+        self.form.searchEdit.lineEdit().setText(normed)
+        return normed
+
     def updateTitle(self):
         selected = len(self.form.tableView.selectionModel().selectedRows())
         cur = len(self.model.cards)