diff --git a/server/AyaNova/biz/Search.cs b/server/AyaNova/biz/Search.cs
index e13c26e0..4c65083b 100644
--- a/server/AyaNova/biz/Search.cs
+++ b/server/AyaNova/biz/Search.cs
@@ -116,7 +116,9 @@ namespace AyaNova.Biz
 
             if (!searchParameters.IsValid)
             {
-                throw new System.ArgumentException("Search::DoSearch - Search request parameters must contain a phrase or tags");
+                //this is expected, don't throw, just return nothing                
+                //throw new System.ArgumentException("Search::DoSearch - Search request parameters must contain a phrase or tags");
+                return ReturnObject;
             }
 
             //IF PHRASE SPECIFIED