diff --git a/plugins/search.cpp b/plugins/search.cpp
index 53c45806d..dac627b68 100644
--- a/plugins/search.cpp
+++ b/plugins/search.cpp
@@ -291,6 +291,11 @@ protected:
 
     }
 
+    virtual bool is_valid_for_search(size_t index)
+    {
+        return true;
+    }
+
     // The actual sort
     virtual void do_search()
     {
@@ -311,6 +316,9 @@ protected:
         string search_string_l = toLower(search_string);
         for (size_t i = 0; i < saved_list1.size(); i++ )
         {
+            if (!is_valid_for_search(i))
+                continue;
+
             T element = saved_list1[i];
             string desc = toLower(get_element_description(element));
             if (desc.find(search_string_l) != string::npos)
@@ -697,6 +705,11 @@ private:
         return viewscreen->mode == T_mode::List;
     }
 
+    bool is_valid_for_search(size_t i)
+    {
+        return is_vermin_s[i] == 0;
+    }
+
     void save_secondary_values()
     {
         is_vermin_s = *is_vermin;