diff --git a/store/neurostore/resources/base.py b/store/neurostore/resources/base.py
index b5ca5f72..76a0b076 100644
--- a/store/neurostore/resources/base.py
+++ b/store/neurostore/resources/base.py
@@ -619,7 +619,7 @@ def search(self):
                 validate_search_query(s)
             except errors.SyntaxError as e:
                 abort(400, description=e.args[0])
-            tsquery = pubmed_to_tsquery(s)
+            tsquery = func.to_tsquery('english', pubmed_to_tsquery(s))
             q = q.filter(m._ts_vector.op("@@")(tsquery))
 
         # Alternatively (or in addition), search on individual fields.
diff --git a/store/neurostore/tests/api/test_query_params.py b/store/neurostore/tests/api/test_query_params.py
index ad8f2bd5..ec022137 100644
--- a/store/neurostore/tests/api/test_query_params.py
+++ b/store/neurostore/tests/api/test_query_params.py
@@ -97,9 +97,11 @@ def test_multiword_queries(auth_client, ingest_neurosynth, session):
 
     single_word_search = auth_client.get(f"/api/studies/?search={single_word}")
     assert single_word_search.status_code == 200
+    assert len(single_word_search.json()["results"]) > 0
 
     multi_word_search = auth_client.get(f"/api/studies/?search={multiple_words}")
     assert multi_word_search.status_code == 200
+    assert len(multi_word_search.json()["results"]) > 0
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("query, expected", valid_queries)