diff --git a/lib/ace/search.js b/lib/ace/search.js
index 846f3905..e6a6f922 100644
--- a/lib/ace/search.js
+++ b/lib/ace/search.js
@@ -275,6 +275,9 @@ Search.SELECTION = 2;
     };
 
     this.$assembleRegExp = function() {
+        if (typeof this.$options.needle != 'string')
+            return this.$options.needle;
+
         if (this.$options.regExp) {
             var needle = this.$options.needle;
         } else {