diff --git a/piker/ui/_search.py b/piker/ui/_search.py
index 16b25a46..aa6f6623 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_search.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_search.py
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@
 # along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
 """
-qompleterz: embeddable search and complete using trio, Qt and rapidfuzz.
+qompleterz: embeddable search and complete using trio, Qt and
+rapidfuzz.
 
 """
 
@@ -46,6 +47,7 @@ import time
 from pprint import pformat
 
 from rapidfuzz import process as fuzzy
+import tractor
 import trio
 from trio_typing import TaskStatus
 
@@ -53,7 +55,7 @@ from piker.ui.qt import (
     size_policy,
     align_flag,
     Qt,
-    QtCore,
+    # QtCore,
     QtWidgets,
     QModelIndex,
     QItemSelectionModel,
@@ -920,7 +922,10 @@ async def fill_results(
 
             # issue multi-provider fan-out search request and place
             # "searching.." statuses on outstanding results providers
-            async with trio.open_nursery() as n:
+            async with (
+                tractor.trionics.collapse_eg(),
+                trio.open_nursery() as tn
+            ):
 
                 for provider, (search, pause) in (
                     _searcher_cache.copy().items()
@@ -944,7 +949,7 @@ async def fill_results(
                                 status_field='-> searchin..',
                             )
 
-                        await n.start(
+                        await tn.start(
                             pack_matches,
                             view,
                             has_results,
@@ -1004,12 +1009,14 @@ async def handle_keyboard_input(
     view.set_font_size(searchbar.dpi_font.px_size)
     send, recv = trio.open_memory_channel(616)
 
-    async with trio.open_nursery() as n:
-
+    async with (
+        tractor.trionics.collapse_eg(),  # needed?
+        trio.open_nursery() as tn
+    ):
         # start a background multi-searcher task which receives
         # patterns relayed from this keyboard input handler and
         # async updates the completer view's results.
-        n.start_soon(
+        tn.start_soon(
             partial(
                 fill_results,
                 searchw,