diff --git a/bin/xbps-query/main.c b/bin/xbps-query/main.c
index d3dd4ee2..b64b3860 100644
--- a/bin/xbps-query/main.c
+++ b/bin/xbps-query/main.c
@@ -170,6 +170,8 @@ main(int argc, char **argv)
 		show = true;
 	else if (!opmode && argc == optind)
 		usage(true);
+	else if ((search || own) && (argc == optind))
+		usage(true);
 
 	/*
 	 * Initialize libxbps.