diff --git a/api/src/repository/project_repository.py b/api/src/repository/project_repository.py
index d18801d..3a9fc3a 100644
--- a/api/src/repository/project_repository.py
+++ b/api/src/repository/project_repository.py
@@ -64,8 +64,9 @@ class ProjectRepository:
         if status_in is not None:
             query = query.where(Project.status.in_(status_in))
         if search is not None and (normalized_search := search.strip()):
+            normalized_search = normalized_search.replace('\\', '\\\\').replace('%', '\\%').replace('_', '\\_')
             search_pattern = (
-                f"%{normalized_search.replace('\\', '\\\\').replace('%', '\\%').replace('_', '\\_')}%"
+                f"%{normalized_search}%"
             )
             matching_year_exists = exists(
                 select(1)