diff --git a/osu.Framework/Graphics/UserInterface/Dropdown.cs b/osu.Framework/Graphics/UserInterface/Dropdown.cs
index bd0fb0f0f56..717d69dae37 100644
--- a/osu.Framework/Graphics/UserInterface/Dropdown.cs
+++ b/osu.Framework/Graphics/UserInterface/Dropdown.cs
@@ -248,7 +248,8 @@ protected Dropdown()
             Header.ToggleMenu = Menu.Toggle;
             Header.ChangeSelection += selectionKeyPressed;
 
-            Header.SearchTerm.ValueChanged += t => Menu.SearchTerm = t.NewValue;
+            if (Header.SearchTerm != null)
+                Header.SearchTerm.ValueChanged += t => Menu.SearchTerm = t.NewValue;
 
             Menu.RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.X;
             Menu.PreselectionConfirmed += preselectionConfirmed;
diff --git a/osu.Framework/Graphics/UserInterface/DropdownHeader.cs b/osu.Framework/Graphics/UserInterface/DropdownHeader.cs
index 2fb345636be..28ca116d32a 100644
--- a/osu.Framework/Graphics/UserInterface/DropdownHeader.cs
+++ b/osu.Framework/Graphics/UserInterface/DropdownHeader.cs
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 using osuTK.Graphics;
 using System;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
+using JetBrains.Annotations;
 using osu.Framework.Bindables;
 using osu.Framework.Graphics.Containers;
 using osu.Framework.Graphics.Shapes;
@@ -26,15 +27,21 @@ public abstract partial class DropdownHeader : Container, IKeyBindingHandler<Pla
 
         public bool AlwaysShowSearchBar
         {
-            get => SearchBar.AlwaysDisplayOnFocus;
-            set => SearchBar.AlwaysDisplayOnFocus = value;
+            get => SearchBar?.AlwaysDisplayOnFocus ?? false;
+            set
+            {
+                if (SearchBar != null)
+                    SearchBar.AlwaysDisplayOnFocus = value;
+            }
         }
 
+        [CanBeNull]
         protected internal DropdownSearchBar SearchBar { get; }
 
-        public Bindable<string> SearchTerm => SearchBar.SearchTerm;
+        [CanBeNull]
+        public Bindable<string> SearchTerm => SearchBar?.SearchTerm;
 
-        protected internal override IEnumerable<Drawable> AdditionalFocusTargets => new Drawable[] { SearchBar };
+        protected internal override IEnumerable<Drawable> AdditionalFocusTargets => SearchBar != null ? new Drawable[] { SearchBar } : Array.Empty<Drawable>();
 
         private Color4 backgroundColour = Color4.DarkGray;
 
@@ -98,10 +105,18 @@ protected DropdownHeader()
                     RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.X,
                     AutoSizeAxes = Axes.Y
                 },
-                SearchBar = CreateSearchBar(),
             };
+
+            SearchBar = CreateSearchBar();
+
+            if (SearchBar != null)
+                AddInternal(SearchBar);
         }
 
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Creates a <see cref="DropdownSearchBar"/> to attach to this dropdown, or <c>null</c> to not attach any (making this dropdown unsearchable).
+        /// </summary>
+        [CanBeNull]
         protected abstract DropdownSearchBar CreateSearchBar();
 
         protected override void LoadComplete()