diff --git a/layers/+spacemacs/spacemacs-evil/packages.el b/layers/+spacemacs/spacemacs-evil/packages.el
index b52b6aa2f..cabf4f5f5 100644
--- a/layers/+spacemacs/spacemacs-evil/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+spacemacs/spacemacs-evil/packages.el
@@ -179,9 +179,15 @@
   (use-package evil-search-highlight-persist
     :init
     (progn
+      (defun spacemacs/evil-search-clear-highlight ()
+        "Clear evil-search or evil-ex-search persistent highlights."
+        (interactive)
+        (case evil-search-module
+          ('isearch (evil-search-highlight-persist-remove-all))
+          ('evil-search (evil-ex-nohighlight))))
       (global-evil-search-highlight-persist)
       ;; (set-face-attribute )
-      (spacemacs/set-leader-keys "sc" 'evil-search-highlight-persist-remove-all)
+      (spacemacs/set-leader-keys "sc" 'spacemacs/evil-search-clear-highlight)
       (define-key evil-search-highlight-persist-map (kbd "C-x SPC") 'rectangle-mark-mode)
       (evil-ex-define-cmd "nohlsearch"
                           'evil-search-highlight-persist-remove-all)