diff --git a/src/search/search.py b/src/search/search.py
index 126c5bf11..64754f2ca 100644
--- a/src/search/search.py
+++ b/src/search/search.py
@@ -110,7 +110,9 @@ def search(self, query, *args, **kwargs):
         return self._wagtail_search(queryset, query, *args, **kwargs)
 
     def autocomplete(self, query, *args, **kwargs):
-        return self._wagtail_autocomplete(self.get_queryset(), query, *args, **kwargs)
+        # never show inactive profiles on autocomplete
+        queryset = Person.objects.all().active()
+        return self._wagtail_autocomplete(queryset, query, *args, **kwargs)
 
 
 class TeamsSearchVector(SearchVector):
diff --git a/src/search/templates/search/partials/search_form.html b/src/search/templates/search/partials/search_form.html
index 69b454f8c..3d7739347 100644
--- a/src/search/templates/search/partials/search_form.html
+++ b/src/search/templates/search/partials/search_form.html
@@ -9,9 +9,11 @@
            placeholder="{{ placeholder|default:'Search site' }}"
            type="search"
            value="{{ search_query|default:'' }}"
-           hx-trigger="keyup changed delay:250ms"
+           hx-trigger="input keyup changed delay:150ms"
            hx-get="{% url 'search:autocomplete' %}"
-           hx-target="#autocomplete-results">
+           hx-target="#autocomplete-results"
+           onblur="document.getElementById('autocomplete-results').style.display='none'"
+           onfocus="document.getElementById('autocomplete-results').style.display='block'">
     <button type="submit">Search</button>
     <div id="autocomplete-results" class="autocomplete-overlay"></div>
 </form>