diff --git a/doc/godocs.js b/doc/godocs.js
index 2b3ab065ff6..20ee36350d2 100644
--- a/doc/godocs.js
+++ b/doc/godocs.js
@@ -28,6 +28,10 @@ function godocs_onload() {
 
 function godocs_bindSearchEvents() {
   var search = document.getElementById('search');
+  if (!search) {
+    // no search box (index disabled)
+    return;
+  }
   function clearInactive() {
     if (search.className == "inactive") {
       search.value = "";