diff --git a/src/ktreewidgetsearchline.cpp b/src/ktreewidgetsearchline.cpp
--- a/src/ktreewidgetsearchline.cpp
+++ b/src/ktreewidgetsearchline.cpp
@@ -223,6 +223,7 @@
             this, SLOT(_k_queueSearch(QString)));
 
     setClearButtonEnabled(true);
+    setPlaceholderText(tr("Search..."));
     setTreeWidget(treeWidget);
 
     if (!treeWidget) {
diff --git a/src/ktreewidgetsearchlinewidget.cpp b/src/ktreewidgetsearchlinewidget.cpp
--- a/src/ktreewidgetsearchlinewidget.cpp
+++ b/src/ktreewidgetsearchlinewidget.cpp
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@
 #include "ktreewidgetsearchline.h"
 
 #include <QHBoxLayout>
-#include <QLabel>
 #include <QTreeWidget>
 
 class Q_DECL_HIDDEN KTreeWidgetSearchLineWidget::Private
@@ -60,16 +59,10 @@
 
 void KTreeWidgetSearchLineWidget::createWidgets()
 {
-    QLabel *label = new QLabel(tr("S&earch:"), this);
-
     searchLine()->show();
 
-    label->setBuddy(d->searchLine);
-    label->show();
-
     QHBoxLayout *layout = new QHBoxLayout(this);
     layout->setMargin(0);
-    layout->addWidget(label);
     layout->addWidget(d->searchLine);
     setFocusProxy(searchLine());
 }