diff --git a/3rdparty/qocoa/qsearchfield_nonmac.cpp b/3rdparty/qocoa/qsearchfield_nonmac.cpp
index 617c2963f..d43468b82 100644
--- a/3rdparty/qocoa/qsearchfield_nonmac.cpp
+++ b/3rdparty/qocoa/qsearchfield_nonmac.cpp
@@ -105,7 +105,11 @@ void QSearchField::setPlaceholderText(const QString &text)
 }
 
 QString QSearchField::placeholderText() const {
+#if QT_VERSION >= 0x040700
   return pimpl->lineEdit->placeholderText();
+#else
+  return QString();
+#endif
 }
 
 void QSearchField::clear()