diff --git a/app/js/controllers.js b/app/js/controllers.js
index 5df791ba..533093ee 100644
--- a/app/js/controllers.js
+++ b/app/js/controllers.js
@@ -342,6 +342,9 @@ angular.module('myApp.controllers', [])
     $scope.dialogs = [];
     $scope.contacts = [];
     $scope.contactsLoaded = false;
+    if ($scope.search === undefined) {
+      $scope.search = {};
+    }
     $scope.phonebookAvailable = PhonebookContactsService.isAvailable();
 
     var offset = 0,