diff --git a/src/quickfix.c b/src/quickfix.c
index e8fe59b..6e1e859 100644
--- a/src/quickfix.c
+++ b/src/quickfix.c
@@ -4256,7 +4256,7 @@
 	goto theend;
     }
 
-    if (s != NULL && *s == NUL)
+    if (s == NULL || *s == NUL)
     {
 	/* Pattern is empty, use last search pattern. */
 	if (last_search_pat() == NULL)