deskbar fails to grey screen after closing window

Binary package hint: deskbar-applet

Running Ubuntu 8.10 32 bit
deskbar 2.24.1

I would expect that deskbar would continue to work after closing a search or closing the search box even if not doing a search by any standard window closing method, ie, hitting escape key or clicking on the "x" in the upper corner of the window.

What happened instead is that if I use deskbar, I must search for something and then use the search results, otherwise, deskbar fails to a blank screen the next time it is run if the window is closed by clicking on the "x" or using alt/F4.

For example:
1) do a search and find something useful. Click on the found item and view the results. > All is fine and deskbar will continue to work.

2) do a search and whether it finds something useful or not, do nothing and close the search by clicking on the "x" in the upper right corner of the search window or using alt/F4. > Deskbar will no longer work, it displays a grey screen on subsequent runs.

3) Activate deskbar either from alt F3 or by clicking on the panel icon. Don't enter anything in the search field and close the search by clicking on the "x" or using alt/F4. > Deskbar will no longer work, it displays a grey screen on subsequent runs.

4) If deskbar is close by using the esc key or alt/F3, it continues to work normally.

5) Removing deskbar from the panel and adding it back again, restores it's functionality unless the above conditions are met.

6) Compiz has no effect on the bug, it happens whether desktop effects are on or off.