diff --git a/lisp/isearch.el b/lisp/isearch.el
index feadf10e8b7..1e785a44c51 100644
--- a/lisp/isearch.el
+++ b/lisp/isearch.el
@@ -2036,6 +2036,7 @@ If search string is empty, just beep."
 (defun isearch-yank-kill ()
   "Pull string from kill ring into search string."
   (interactive)
+  (unless isearch-mode (isearch-mode t))
   (isearch-yank-string (current-kill 0)))
 
 (defun isearch-yank-pop ()