diff --git a/blenderkit/paths.py b/blenderkit/paths.py
index b9847be2975878dacac4233dd05a60de05375f90..e074d966f4f0e7b91372b5ee514bdce1d768d6d4 100644
--- a/blenderkit/paths.py
+++ b/blenderkit/paths.py
@@ -97,6 +97,8 @@ def get_categories_filepath():
     return os.path.join(tempdir, 'categories.json')
 
 dirs_exist_dict = {}#cache these results since this is used very often
+# this causes the function to fail if user deletes the directory while blender is running,
+# but comes back when blender is restarted.
 def get_temp_dir(subdir=None):
 
     user_preferences = bpy.context.preferences.addons['blenderkit'].preferences
diff --git a/blenderkit/search.py b/blenderkit/search.py
index d8344aca736b9829bb955ef15c58c9eae7a48db1..b58dd28db9c13c570820eb529f0e62d35f00b996 100644
--- a/blenderkit/search.py
+++ b/blenderkit/search.py
@@ -1458,6 +1458,12 @@ class SearchOperator(Operator):
     bl_description = "Search online for assets"
     bl_options = {'REGISTER', 'UNDO', 'INTERNAL'}
 
+    esc: BoolProperty(name="Escape window",
+                      description="Escape window right after start",
+                      default=False,
+                      options={'SKIP_SAVE'}
+                      )
+
     own: BoolProperty(name="own assets only",
                       description="Find all own assets",
                       default=False)
@@ -1506,6 +1512,8 @@ class SearchOperator(Operator):
 
     def execute(self, context):
         # TODO ; this should all get transferred to properties of the search operator, so sprops don't have to be fetched here at all.
+        if self.esc:
+            bpy.ops.view3d.close_popup_button('INVOKE_DEFAULT')
         sprops = utils.get_search_props()
         if self.author_id != '':
             sprops.search_keywords = ''
diff --git a/blenderkit/ui_panels.py b/blenderkit/ui_panels.py
index 292d83590d180a153242ed755092684512962073..bc20169f452d570eb564ac1285c7b13853382146 100644
--- a/blenderkit/ui_panels.py
+++ b/blenderkit/ui_panels.py
@@ -1206,6 +1206,7 @@ def draw_asset_context_menu(layout, context, asset_data, from_panel=False):
             op.author_id = author_id
 
     op = layout.operator('view3d.blenderkit_search', text='Search Similar')
+    op.esc = True
     op.tooltip = 'Search for similar assets in the library'
     # build search string from description and tags:
     op.keywords = asset_data['name']
@@ -1721,6 +1722,7 @@ class AssetPopupCard(bpy.types.Operator, ratings_utils.RatingsProperties):
             op.url = url
 
             op = button_row.operator('view3d.blenderkit_search', text="Find Assets By Author")
+            op.esc = True
             op.keywords = ''
             op.author_id = self.asset_data['author']['id']