diff --git a/koha-tmpl/intranet-tmpl/prog/js/staff-global.js b/koha-tmpl/intranet-tmpl/prog/js/staff-global.js
index 4dd719da0d..40fe3b022b 100644
--- a/koha-tmpl/intranet-tmpl/prog/js/staff-global.js
+++ b/koha-tmpl/intranet-tmpl/prog/js/staff-global.js
@@ -531,7 +531,7 @@ function buildPatronSearchQuery(term, options) {
 
     // Bail if no patterns
     if (patterns.length == 0) {
-        return;
+        return q;
     }
 
     // Leading wildcard: If search_type option exists, we use that