diff --git a/_locales/en/messages.json b/_locales/en/messages.json
index 379a84172..7ea80d9e9 100644
--- a/_locales/en/messages.json
+++ b/_locales/en/messages.json
@@ -2390,5 +2390,8 @@
   },
   "compose": {
     "message": "Compose"
+  },
+  "searchForAKeyPhrase": {
+    "message": "Search for a key phrase or contact"
   }
 }
diff --git a/ts/components/session/SessionConversationSearch.tsx b/ts/components/session/SessionConversationSearch.tsx
index 67f1036d0..34d81756b 100644
--- a/ts/components/session/SessionConversationSearch.tsx
+++ b/ts/components/session/SessionConversationSearch.tsx
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ export class SessionConversationSearch extends React.Component<Props> {
         <input
           value={searchString}
           onChange={e => this.props.onChange(e.target.value)}
+          placeholder={window.i18n('searchForAKeyPhrase')}
         />
       </div>
     );