diff --git a/src/librustdoc/html/layout.rs b/src/librustdoc/html/layout.rs
index e4081df5c3c..da7bdb97124 100644
--- a/src/librustdoc/html/layout.rs
+++ b/src/librustdoc/html/layout.rs
@@ -59,7 +59,8 @@ pub fn render<T: fmt::Default, S: fmt::Default>(
     <nav class=\"sub\">
         <form class=\"search-form js-only\">
             <input class=\"search-input\" name=\"search\"
-                   autocomplete=\"off\" />
+                   autocomplete=\"off\"
+                   placeholder=\"Search documentation...\" />
             <button class=\"do-search\">Search</button>
         </form>
     </nav>