diff --git a/mythplugins/mythnetvision/mythnetvision/netsearch.cpp b/mythplugins/mythnetvision/mythnetvision/netsearch.cpp
index 466762a47fe..d0bb799e486 100644
--- a/mythplugins/mythnetvision/mythnetvision/netsearch.cpp
+++ b/mythplugins/mythnetvision/mythnetvision/netsearch.cpp
@@ -87,7 +87,6 @@ bool NetSearch::Create()
         m_noSites->SetVisible(false);
 
     m_search = dynamic_cast<MythUITextEdit *> (GetChild("search"));
-    m_search->SetMaxLength(255);
 
     if (!m_siteList || !m_searchResultList || !m_search)
     {
@@ -95,6 +94,8 @@ bool NetSearch::Create()
         return false;
     }
 
+    m_search->SetMaxLength(255);
+
     // UI Hookups
     connect(m_siteList, SIGNAL(itemSelected(MythUIButtonListItem *)),
                        SLOT(slotItemChanged()));