Return if no searchString

diff --git a/src/jalview/gui/Finder.java b/src/jalview/gui/Finder.java
index ec45b0c..ff4fe60 100755 (executable)
--- a/src/jalview/gui/Finder.java
+++ b/src/jalview/gui/Finder.java
@@ -181,6 +181,8 @@ public class Finder extends GFinder
         createNewGroup.setEnabled(false);\r
 \r
         String searchString = textfield.getText().toUpperCase().trim();\r
+        if(searchString.length()<1)\r
+          return;\r
 \r
         com.stevesoft.pat.Regex regex = new com.stevesoft.pat.Regex(searchString);\r
 \r