diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/search-node.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/search-node.lua
index 93fa0a7c6a0..ee7129feb5e 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/search-node.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/search-node.lua
@@ -42,6 +42,13 @@ function M.fn()
 
       if absolute_input_path == node.absolute_path then
         found_something = true
+
+        if node.nodes and not node.open then
+          node.open = true
+          core.get_explorer():expand(node)
+          tree_altered = true
+        end
+
         return index
       end