diff --git a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/editor-client/src/js/ui/common/searchBox.js b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/editor-client/src/js/ui/common/searchBox.js
index 173d34034..e86a199ee 100644
--- a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/editor-client/src/js/ui/common/searchBox.js
+++ b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/editor-client/src/js/ui/common/searchBox.js
@@ -105,8 +105,8 @@
                     }
                 });
                 this.element.on("keydown",function(e) {
-                    if (!menuShown && e.keyCode === 40) {
-                        //DOWN
+                    if (!menuShown && e.keyCode === 40 && $(this).val() === '') {
+                        //DOWN (only show menu if search field is emty)
                         showMenu();
                     }
                 });