diff --git a/src/snek/service/user.py b/src/snek/service/user.py
index b70be63..c527361 100644
--- a/src/snek/service/user.py
+++ b/src/snek/service/user.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ class UserService(BaseService):
     async def search(self, query, **kwargs):
         query = query.strip().lower()
         if not query:
-            raise []
+            return []
         results = []
         async for result in self.find(username={"ilike": "%" + query + "%"}, **kwargs):
             results.append(result)