diff --git a/notmuch.el b/notmuch.el
index 84152fbc..4f4a7c9c 100644
--- a/notmuch.el
+++ b/notmuch.el
@@ -42,8 +42,8 @@
 
 (defun notmuch-search (query)
   "Run \"notmuch search\" with the given query string and display results."
-  (interactive "sNotmuch search:")
-  (compilation-start (concat "notmuch search " query) 'notmuch-search-mode))
+  (interactive "sNotmuch search: ")
+  (start-process "notmuch-search" (concat "*notmuch-search-" query) "notmuch" "search" query))
 
 (defun notmuch ()
   "Run notmuch to display all mail with tag of 'inbox'"