diff --git a/archivebox/core/mixins.py b/archivebox/core/mixins.py
index b1507605..4711dd0e 100644
--- a/archivebox/core/mixins.py
+++ b/archivebox/core/mixins.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ class SearchResultsAdminMixin:
             qsearch = query_search_index(search_term)
             qs = qs | qsearch
         except Exception as err:
+            print(f'[!] Error while using search backend: {err.__class__.__name__} {err}')
             messages.add_message(request, messages.WARNING, f'Error from the search backend, only showing results from default admin search fields - Error: {err}')
         
         return qs, use_distinct
diff --git a/archivebox/core/views.py b/archivebox/core/views.py
index 4e7ff327..c056cd65 100644
--- a/archivebox/core/views.py
+++ b/archivebox/core/views.py
@@ -223,7 +223,10 @@ class PublicIndexView(ListView):
         query = self.request.GET.get('q')
         if query and query.strip():
             qs = qs.filter(Q(title__icontains=query) | Q(url__icontains=query) | Q(timestamp__icontains=query) | Q(tags__name__icontains=query))
-            qs = qs | query_search_index(query)
+            try:
+                qs = qs | query_search_index(query)
+            except Exception as err:
+                print(f'[!] Error while using search backend: {err.__class__.__name__} {err}')
         return qs
 
     def get(self, *args, **kwargs):