diff --git a/resources/js/search.js b/resources/js/search.js
index 97267e40..7342cb5a 100644
--- a/resources/js/search.js
+++ b/resources/js/search.js
@@ -43,8 +43,11 @@ document.addEventListener('alpine:init', () => {
             this.compact = query.matches
             query.addEventListener('change', (event) => (this.compact = event.matches))
 
-            this.observer = new MutationObserver(() => this.countLater())
-            this.observer.observe(this.$refs.view, { childList: true, subtree: true, characterData: true })
+            // Alpine registers x-ref as it walks the children, which is after this runs.
+            this.$nextTick(() => {
+                this.observer = new MutationObserver(() => this.countLater())
+                this.observer.observe(this.$refs.view, { childList: true, subtree: true, characterData: true })
+            })
 
             this.$watch('open', () => this.countLater())
         },
@@ -60,7 +63,7 @@ document.addEventListener('alpine:init', () => {
         },
 
         count() {
-            if (! this.open) {
+            if (! this.open || ! this.$refs.view) {
                 this.announcement = ''
 
                 return