diff --git a/src/plugins/search/search.js b/src/plugins/search/search.js
index 6a212c016..7cda33071 100644
--- a/src/plugins/search/search.js
+++ b/src/plugins/search/search.js
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ export function init(config, vm) {
   let namespaceSuffix = '';
 
   // only in auto mode
-  if (isAuto && config.pathNamespaces) {
+  if (paths.length && isAuto && config.pathNamespaces) {
     const path = paths[0];
 
     if (Array.isArray(config.pathNamespaces)) {