diff --git a/pkg/interface/chat/src/js/components/lib/invite-search.js b/pkg/interface/chat/src/js/components/lib/invite-search.js
index df5007d2c4..d3aac8ee1b 100644
--- a/pkg/interface/chat/src/js/components/lib/invite-search.js
+++ b/pkg/interface/chat/src/js/components/lib/invite-search.js
@@ -68,6 +68,18 @@ export class InviteSearch extends Component {
       this.setState({
         searchResults: { groups: groupMatches, ships: shipMatches }
       });
+
+      let isValid = true;
+      if (!urbitOb.isValidPatp("~" + searchTerm)) {
+        isValid = false;
+      }
+
+      if ((shipMatches.length === 0) && (isValid)) {
+        shipMatches.push(searchTerm);
+        this.setState({
+          searchResults: { groups: groupMatches, ships: shipMatches }
+        })
+      }
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/pkg/interface/publish/src/js/components/lib/invite-search.js b/pkg/interface/publish/src/js/components/lib/invite-search.js
index f1408753e5..2678e04ed3 100644
--- a/pkg/interface/publish/src/js/components/lib/invite-search.js
+++ b/pkg/interface/publish/src/js/components/lib/invite-search.js
@@ -69,6 +69,18 @@ export class InviteSearch extends Component {
       this.setState({
         searchResults: { groups: groupMatches, ships: shipMatches }
       });
+
+      let isValid = true;
+      if (!urbitOb.isValidPatp("~" + searchTerm)) {
+        isValid = false;
+      }
+
+      if ((shipMatches.length === 0) && (isValid)) {
+        shipMatches.push(searchTerm);
+        this.setState({
+          searchResults: { groups: groupMatches, ships: shipMatches }
+        })
+      }
     }
   }