diff --git a/lib/philomena_web/plugs/image_filter_plug.ex b/lib/philomena_web/plugs/image_filter_plug.ex
index 51534e30..37e33032 100644
--- a/lib/philomena_web/plugs/image_filter_plug.ex
+++ b/lib/philomena_web/plugs/image_filter_plug.ex
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@ defmodule PhilomenaWeb.ImageFilterPlug do
     filter = conn.assigns[:current_filter]
 
     tag_exclusion = %{terms: %{tag_ids: filter.hidden_tag_ids}}
-    {:ok, query_exclusion} = Query.compile(user, normalize(filter.hidden_complex_str))
-    {:ok, query_spoiler} = Query.compile(user, normalize(filter.spoilered_complex_str))
+    query_exclusion = invalid_filter_guard(user, filter.hidden_complex_str)
+    query_spoiler = invalid_filter_guard(user, filter.spoilered_complex_str)
 
     query = %{
       bool: %{
@@ -28,4 +28,11 @@ defmodule PhilomenaWeb.ImageFilterPlug do
     |> assign(:compiled_complex_spoiler, query_spoiler)
     |> assign(:compiled_filter, query)
   end
+
+  defp invalid_filter_guard(user, search_string) do
+    case Query.compile(user, normalize(search_string)) do
+      {:ok, query} -> query
+      _error -> %{match_all: %{}}
+    end
+  end
 end