diff --git a/itemcontroller.lua b/itemcontroller.lua
index 4d94a24..0139947 100644
--- a/itemcontroller.lua
+++ b/itemcontroller.lua
@@ -447,8 +447,10 @@ local PAGES = {
           text = "<--",
           bgColor = KEYBOARD_KEY_COLOR,
           onClick = function()
-            pageState.filter = fitText(pageState.filter, math.max(0, #pageState.filter - 1))
-            pageState.reloadState()
+            if #pageState.filter > 0 then
+              pageState.filter = fitText(pageState.filter, math.max(0, #pageState.filter - 1))
+              pageState.reloadState()
+            end
             return true
           end
         })
@@ -482,8 +484,10 @@ local PAGES = {
       onClick = ignoreClick,
       onKey = function(elem, keyCode, held)
         if keyCode == keys.backspace then
-          pageState.filter = fitText(pageState.filter, math.max(0, #pageState.filter - 1))
-          pageState.reloadState()
+          if #pageState.filter > 0 then
+            pageState.filter = fitText(pageState.filter, math.max(0, #pageState.filter - 1))
+            pageState.reloadState()
+          end
           return true
         end
         return false