diff --git a/polygerrit-ui/app/BUILD b/polygerrit-ui/app/BUILD
index fcf1cf4..325247c 100644
--- a/polygerrit-ui/app/BUILD
+++ b/polygerrit-ui/app/BUILD
@@ -109,7 +109,6 @@
     "elements/checks/gr-hovercard-run_html.ts",
     "elements/core/gr-main-header/gr-main-header_html.ts",
     "elements/core/gr-search-bar/gr-search-bar_html.ts",
-    "elements/core/gr-smart-search/gr-smart-search_html.ts",
     "elements/diff/gr-apply-fix-dialog/gr-apply-fix-dialog_html.ts",
     "elements/diff/gr-diff-builder/gr-diff-builder-element_html.ts",
     "elements/diff/gr-diff-host/gr-diff-host_html.ts",
diff --git a/polygerrit-ui/app/elements/core/gr-smart-search/gr-smart-search.ts b/polygerrit-ui/app/elements/core/gr-smart-search/gr-smart-search.ts
index aa7e2e0..7419713 100644
--- a/polygerrit-ui/app/elements/core/gr-smart-search/gr-smart-search.ts
+++ b/polygerrit-ui/app/elements/core/gr-smart-search/gr-smart-search.ts
@@ -32,6 +32,12 @@
 const SELF_EXPRESSION = 'self';
 const ME_EXPRESSION = 'me';
 
+declare global {
+  interface HTMLElementEventMap {
+    'handle-search': CustomEvent<SearchBarHandleSearchDetail>;
+  }
+}
+
 @customElement('gr-smart-search')
 export class GrSmartSearch extends PolymerElement {
   static get template() {
@@ -39,7 +45,7 @@
   }
 
   @property({type: String})
-  searchQuery?: string;
+  searchQuery = '';
 
   @property({type: Object})
   _config?: ServerInfo;