diff --git a/src/AvaloniaEdit/Editing/TextArea.cs b/src/AvaloniaEdit/Editing/TextArea.cs
index 286c9485..d4c5ce31 100644
--- a/src/AvaloniaEdit/Editing/TextArea.cs
+++ b/src/AvaloniaEdit/Editing/TextArea.cs
@@ -68,7 +68,8 @@ static TextArea()
 
             TextInputMethodClientRequestedEvent.AddClassHandler<TextArea>((ta, e) =>
             {
-                if (!ta.IsReadOnly)
+                // Only handle IME for the TextArea itself, not for child controls (e.g. search TextBox)
+                if (!ta.IsReadOnly && e.Source == ta)
                 {
                     e.Client = ta._imClient;
                 }