diff --git a/components/search/advancedsearch.js b/components/search/advancedsearch.js
index 94daa7bc..c9403d25 100644
--- a/components/search/advancedsearch.js
+++ b/components/search/advancedsearch.js
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ let AdvancedSearch = (props) => {
         var searchString = "";
 
         searchString +=
-            values.caseRef.trim() != null ? "?q=" + values.caseRef.trim() : "";
+            values.caseRef != null ? "?q=" + values.caseRef.trim() : "";
         searchString +=
             values.lpaTypes != null
                 ? (typeof values.caseRef == "undefined" ? "?" : "&") +