diff --git a/nominatim/api/search/db_searches.py b/nominatim/api/search/db_searches.py
index 02a45e7c..f4684044 100644
--- a/nominatim/api/search/db_searches.py
+++ b/nominatim/api/search/db_searches.py
@@ -670,7 +670,7 @@ class PlaceSearch(AbstractSearch):
                           .where(thnr.c.indexed_status == 0)
 
             if details.excluded:
-                place_sql = place_sql.where(_exclude_places(thnr))
+                place_sql = place_sql.where(thnr.c.place_id.not_in(sa.bindparam('excluded')))
             if self.qualifiers:
                 place_sql = place_sql.where(self.qualifiers.sql_restrict(thnr))