diff --git a/gtk/gtkfilechooserwidget.c b/gtk/gtkfilechooserwidget.c
index e94de516bd..b23f1dbf00 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkfilechooserwidget.c
+++ b/gtk/gtkfilechooserwidget.c
@@ -3192,14 +3192,12 @@ static gchar *
 gtk_file_chooser_widget_get_subtitle (GtkFileChooserWidget *impl)
 {
   GtkFileChooserWidgetPrivate *priv = impl->priv;
-  gchar *subtitle;
+  gchar *subtitle = NULL;
 
   if (priv->operation_mode == OPERATION_MODE_SEARCH)
     {
       gchar *location;
 
-      subtitle = g_strdup (_("Searching"));
-
       location = gtk_places_sidebar_get_location_title (GTK_PLACES_SIDEBAR (priv->places_sidebar));
       if (location)
         {
@@ -3221,6 +3219,9 @@ gtk_file_chooser_widget_get_subtitle (GtkFileChooserWidget *impl)
               g_object_unref (info);
             }
         }
+
+      if (subtitle == NULL)
+        subtitle = g_strdup (_("Searching"));
     }
   else if (priv->operation_mode == OPERATION_MODE_ENTER_LOCATION ||
            (priv->operation_mode == OPERATION_MODE_BROWSE &&
@@ -3231,10 +3232,6 @@ gtk_file_chooser_widget_get_subtitle (GtkFileChooserWidget *impl)
       else
         subtitle = g_strdup (_("Enter location or URL"));
     }
-  else
-    {
-      subtitle = NULL;
-    }
 
   return subtitle;
 }