diff --git a/src/components/structures/SearchBox.js b/src/components/structures/SearchBox.js
index 9090152de8..6bf7c754f0 100644
--- a/src/components/structures/SearchBox.js
+++ b/src/components/structures/SearchBox.js
@@ -133,9 +133,11 @@ module.exports = createReactClass({
             return null;
         }
         const clearButton = (!this.state.blurred || this.state.searchTerm) ?
-            (<AccessibleButton key="button"
-                    className="mx_SearchBox_closeButton"
-                    onClick={ () => {this._clearSearch("button"); } }>
+            (<AccessibleButton
+                key="button"
+                tabIndex={-1}
+                className="mx_SearchBox_closeButton"
+                onClick={ () => {this._clearSearch("button"); } }>
             </AccessibleButton>) : undefined;
 
         // show a shorter placeholder when blurred, if requested