diff --git a/src/Control/SimpleSuggestions.php b/src/Control/SimpleSuggestions.php
index 12cae08f..10cd11f0 100644
--- a/src/Control/SimpleSuggestions.php
+++ b/src/Control/SimpleSuggestions.php
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ public function setData($data): self
      */
     public function setDefault(string $default): self
     {
-        $this->default = $default;
+        $this->default = trim($default, '"\'');
 
         return $this;
     }
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ public function forRequest(ServerRequestInterface $request): self
 
         $this->setData($this->fetchSuggestions($label, $exclude));
 
-        if ($search) {
+        if (! empty($search)) {
             $this->setDefault($search);
         }