diff --git a/app/assets/javascripts/gl_dropdown.js b/app/assets/javascripts/gl_dropdown.js
index 3babe273100..9475498e176 100644
--- a/app/assets/javascripts/gl_dropdown.js
+++ b/app/assets/javascripts/gl_dropdown.js
@@ -730,10 +730,10 @@ GitLabDropdown = (function() {
 
   GitLabDropdown.prototype.focusTextInput = function(triggerFocus = false) {
     if (this.options.filterable) {
-      $(':focus').blur();
-
       this.dropdown.one('transitionend', () => {
-        this.filterInput.focus();
+        if (this.dropdown.is('.open')) {
+          this.filterInput.focus();
+        }
       });
 
       if (triggerFocus) {
diff --git a/changelogs/unreleased/search-flickering.yml b/changelogs/unreleased/search-flickering.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..951a5a0292a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelogs/unreleased/search-flickering.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+---
+title: Fix search box losing focus when typing
+merge_request:
+author: