diff --git a/kittens/choose_files/footer.go b/kittens/choose_files/footer.go
index 6ac2bf8b2..12f6e3e15 100644
--- a/kittens/choose_files/footer.go
+++ b/kittens/choose_files/footer.go
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ func (h *Handler) draw_footer() (num_lines int, err error) {
 			buf.WriteString(text)
 			pos += sz
 		}
-		w("Filter:", nil)
+		w("󰈲 Filter:", nil)
 		for _, name := range h.state.filter_names {
 			w("  "+name, utils.IfElse(name == h.state.current_filter, current_style, non_current_style))
 		}
diff --git a/kittens/choose_files/scan.go b/kittens/choose_files/scan.go
index 4bc3ae9b6..253e561e0 100644
--- a/kittens/choose_files/scan.go
+++ b/kittens/choose_files/scan.go
@@ -313,7 +313,9 @@ func (fss *FileSystemScorer) Start() {
 	fss.keep_going.Store(true)
 	if fss.scanner == nil {
 		sc := NewFileSystemScanner(fss.root_dir, on_results, fss.filter.Match)
-		sc.dir_reader = fss.dir_reader
+		if fss.dir_reader != nil {
+			sc.dir_reader = fss.dir_reader
+		}
 		fss.scanner = sc
 		fss.scanner.Start()
 	} else {