diff --git a/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/+page.svelte b/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/+page.svelte
index d8313175..a0fb095b 100644
--- a/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/+page.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/+page.svelte
@@ -218,9 +218,10 @@ async function handle_search_refresh(params: any) {
     const min_chars = params.min_chars;
 
     // Defense-in-depth: enforce min_chars even if the search component lets one through.
-    // Exception: if the user has set a non-default filter (printed status, type, affiliations),
-    // that is an explicit intent — run the search even without a text query.
-    const has_active_filters = printed_status !== 'all' || !!type_code || !!aff_str;
+    // Exception: if the user has set a non-default filter or sort, that is explicit intent —
+    // run the search even without a text query.
+    const has_active_filters =
+        printed_status !== 'all' || !!type_code || !!aff_str || !!params.sort;
     if (qry_str.length < min_chars && !has_active_filters) {
         untrack(() => {
             event_badge_id_li = [];