diff --git a/mir-module/src/main/resources/META-INF/resources/js/mir/base.js b/mir-module/src/main/resources/META-INF/resources/js/mir/base.js
index 5f84a6af54..ca348c7739 100644
--- a/mir-module/src/main/resources/META-INF/resources/js/mir/base.js
+++ b/mir-module/src/main/resources/META-INF/resources/js/mir/base.js
@@ -325,14 +325,6 @@
 
     $('.confirm_deletion').confirm();
 
-    // modify empty search
-    // add * as value for an empty search to get results
-    $(".searchfield_box").submit(function() {
-      if ( $("input.search-query").val() == "" ) {
-        $("input.search-query").val("*");
-      }
-    });
-
     // search person index
     // makes sure the query ends with .* on submit
     $("#index_search_form").submit( function () {
diff --git a/mir-module/src/main/resources/config/mir/solr/main/solr-config.json b/mir-module/src/main/resources/config/mir/solr/main/solr-config.json
index fc6eae894e..de76733f1f 100644
--- a/mir-module/src/main/resources/config/mir/solr/main/solr-config.json
+++ b/mir-module/src/main/resources/config/mir/solr/main/solr-config.json
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
         "wt": "xml",
         "bq": "created:[NOW/DAY-6MONTH TO NOW/DAY]",
         "condQuery": "*",
+        "q.alt": "*:*",
         "sort": "score desc, mods.dateIssued desc"
       },
       "appends": {
@@ -195,4 +196,4 @@
       }
     }
   }
-]
\ No newline at end of file
+]