diff --git a/src/js/select2/selection/search.js b/src/js/select2/selection/search.js
index 9ce321be..7c941faf 100644
--- a/src/js/select2/selection/search.js
+++ b/src/js/select2/selection/search.js
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ define([
 
     this.resizeSearch();
     if (searchHadFocus) {
-      this.$search.focus();
+      this.$element.focus();
     }
   };