diff --git a/mod/contacts.php b/mod/contacts.php
index f5125a7fe6..a3e3f409b5 100644
--- a/mod/contacts.php
+++ b/mod/contacts.php
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ function contacts_init(&$a) {
 	var a; 
 	a = $("#contacts-search").autocomplete({ 
 		serviceUrl: '$base/acl',
+		minChars: 2,
 		width: 350,
 	});
 	a.setOptions({ params: { type: 'a' }});