diff --git a/scripts/kconfig/mconf.c b/scripts/kconfig/mconf.c
index d0e4fa594fc7..d2c2a429887b 100644
--- a/scripts/kconfig/mconf.c
+++ b/scripts/kconfig/mconf.c
@@ -419,11 +419,13 @@ static void search_conf(void)
 {
 	struct symbol **sym_arr;
 	struct gstr res;
+	char *dialog_input;
 	int dres;
 again:
 	dialog_clear();
 	dres = dialog_inputbox(_("Search Configuration Parameter"),
-			      _("Enter CONFIG_ (sub)string to search for (omit CONFIG_)"),
+			      _("Enter CONFIG_ (sub)string to search for "
+				"(with or without \"CONFIG\")"),
 			      10, 75, "");
 	switch (dres) {
 	case 0:
@@ -435,7 +437,12 @@ again:
 		return;
 	}
 
-	sym_arr = sym_re_search(dialog_input_result);
+	/* strip CONFIG_ if necessary */
+	dialog_input = dialog_input_result;
+	if (strncasecmp(dialog_input_result, "CONFIG_", 7) == 0)
+		dialog_input += 7;
+
+	sym_arr = sym_re_search(dialog_input);
 	res = get_relations_str(sym_arr);
 	free(sym_arr);
 	show_textbox(_("Search Results"), str_get(&res), 0, 0);