diff --git a/bundles/org.eclipse.ui.workbench/eclipseui/org/eclipse/ui/internal/dialogs/FilteredPreferenceDialog.java b/bundles/org.eclipse.ui.workbench/eclipseui/org/eclipse/ui/internal/dialogs/FilteredPreferenceDialog.java
index 9c281e7d07d..173065c52dc 100644
--- a/bundles/org.eclipse.ui.workbench/eclipseui/org/eclipse/ui/internal/dialogs/FilteredPreferenceDialog.java
+++ b/bundles/org.eclipse.ui.workbench/eclipseui/org/eclipse/ui/internal/dialogs/FilteredPreferenceDialog.java
@@ -126,9 +126,9 @@ protected Text doCreateFilterText(Composite parent) {
 
 		@Override
 		public void setInitialText(String text) {
-			if (filterText != null && !filterText.isDisposed()) {
-				filterText.setMessage(text != null ? text : ""); //$NON-NLS-1$
-			}
+			// No placeholder hint; the search icon already signals the field's purpose.
+			// initialText is still tracked for the empty-filter check and accessible name.
+			initialText = text != null ? text : ""; //$NON-NLS-1$
 		}
 
 		/**
@@ -140,7 +140,8 @@ protected void addFilter(ViewerFilter filter) {
 			getViewer().addFilter(filter);
 
 			if (filterText != null) {
-				setFilterText(WorkbenchMessages.FilteredTree_FilterMessage);
+				// Keep the field empty so the viewer filter narrows the pages; the
+				// hint text would otherwise be applied as a pattern and hide all pages.
 				textChanged();
 			}