The issue was that the get_search_fields method tried to get the view's corresponding searchview after a rpc (fields_get). Sadly, if the user had meanwhile clicked again on the menu item, the first view would be detached from the view manager and would be unable to reach the search view. The solution is to move the lookup for the search view in the start method, where it is guaranteed to exist. bzr revid: ged@openerp.com-20140430084927-m11dxqg9ko0dnu08