diff --git a/sections/forums/search.php b/sections/forums/search.php
index 47c889f6..e9444592 100644
--- a/sections/forums/search.php
+++ b/sections/forums/search.php
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 // What are we looking for? Let's make sure it isn't dangerous.
 if(isset($_GET['search'])) {
 	$Search = trim($_GET['search']);
+	
 } else {
 	$Search = '';
 }
diff --git a/sections/forums/thread.php b/sections/forums/thread.php
index 6590496b..8d02b5cf 100644
--- a/sections/forums/thread.php
+++ b/sections/forums/thread.php
@@ -512,7 +512,7 @@
 }
 	if($ThreadInfo['LastPostAuthorID']==$LoggedUser['ID'] && (check_perms('site_forums_double_post') || in_array($ForumID, $ForumsDoublePost))) {
 ?>
-						<input id="mergebox" type="checkbox" name="merge" checked="checked" tabindex="2" />
+						<input id="mergebox" type="checkbox" name="merge" tabindex="2" />
 						<label for="mergebox">Merge</label>
 <? } ?>
 						<input id="post_preview" type="button" value="Preview" tabindex="1" onclick="if(this.preview){Quick_Edit();}else{Quick_Preview();}" />