diff --git a/data/text.py b/data/text.py
index 870dd935a..094516d85 100644
--- a/data/text.py
+++ b/data/text.py
@@ -25,6 +25,10 @@ def match_mysql(field, search_query):
   if field.name.find('`') >= 0: # Just to be safe.
     raise Exception("How did field name '%s' end up containing a backtick?" % field.name)
 
+  # Note: There is a known bug in MySQL (https://bugs.mysql.com/bug.php?id=78485) that causes
+  # queries of the form `*` to raise a parsing error. If found, simply filter out.
+  search_query = search_query.replace('*', '')
+
   return Clause(fn.MATCH(SQL("`%s`" % field.name)), fn.AGAINST(SQL('%s', search_query)),
                 parens=True)