diff --git a/admin/search.php b/admin/search.php
index fb38431137b..623cf1cfcf2 100644
--- a/admin/search.php
+++ b/admin/search.php
@@ -5,11 +5,19 @@
 require_once('../config.php');
 require_once($CFG->libdir.'/adminlib.php');
 
+redirect_if_major_upgrade_required();
+
 $query = trim(optional_param('query', '', PARAM_NOTAGS));  // Search string
 
 $context = context_system::instance();
 $PAGE->set_context($context);
 
+$hassiteconfig = has_capability('moodle/site:config', $context);
+
+if ($hassiteconfig && moodle_needs_upgrading()) {
+    redirect(new moodle_url('/admin/index.php'));
+}
+
 admin_externalpage_setup('search', '', array('query' => $query)); // now hidden page
 
 $adminroot = admin_get_root(); // need all settings here
@@ -55,7 +63,7 @@ if ($errormsg !== '') {
 
 $showsettingslinks = true;
 
-if (has_capability('moodle/site:config', $context)) {
+if ($hassiteconfig) {
     require_once("admin_settings_search_form.php");
     $form = new admin_settings_search_form();
     $form->display();