diff --git a/web/core/views_user_features.py b/web/core/views_user_features.py
index 8dfd51d..c73959c 100644
--- a/web/core/views_user_features.py
+++ b/web/core/views_user_features.py
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ def api_set_font_size(request):
 def api_get_prefs(request):
     prefs, _ = UserPrefs.objects.get_or_create(user=request.user)
     return JsonResponse({"ok": True, "font_size": prefs.font_size})
+    "highlight_search_hits": getattr(prefs, "highlight_search_hits", True),
 
 
 # ---------- Search history ----------