diff --git a/javascript/uber_search.js b/javascript/uber_search.js
index 07b0fa3..cb96680 100644
--- a/javascript/uber_search.js
+++ b/javascript/uber_search.js
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
     var outputContainer  = options.outputContainer || new UberSearch.OutputContainer({selectCaret: options.selectCaret, ariaLabel: options.ariaLabel})
     var resultsContainer = $('<div class="results_container"></div>')
     var messages         = $('<div class="messages"></div>')
-    var pane             = new UberSearch.Pane()
+    var pane             = new UberSearch.Pane({alwaysOpen: options.alwaysOpen})
 
     var searchField = new UberSearch.SearchField({
         placeholder: options.searchPlaceholder,
diff --git a/javascript/uber_search/pane.js b/javascript/uber_search/pane.js
index 286e71f..bfc04fd 100644
--- a/javascript/uber_search/pane.js
+++ b/javascript/uber_search/pane.js
@@ -1,10 +1,14 @@
 (function($) {
-  UberSearch.Pane = function() {
+  UberSearch.Pane = function(options) {
     var eventsTriggered = {
       shown: 'shown',
       hidden: 'hidden'
     }
 
+    options = $.extend({
+      alwaysOpen: false
+    }, options)
+
     var context   = this
     var model     = {}
     var isOpen    = false
@@ -35,12 +39,14 @@
     })
 
     // Close the pane when the user presses escape
-    $(document).on('keyup', function(event){
-      if (event.which == 27 && isOpen){
-        context.hide()
-        return false
-      }
-    })
+    if (!options.alwaysOpen) {
+      $(document).on('keyup', function(event){
+        if (event.which == 27 && isOpen){
+          context.hide()
+          return false
+        }
+      })
+    }
 
 
     // HELPER FUNCTIONS