diff --git a/src/vs/workbench/contrib/notebook/browser/viewParts/notebookKernelQuickPickStrategy.ts b/src/vs/workbench/contrib/notebook/browser/viewParts/notebookKernelQuickPickStrategy.ts
index 7c4c94e8db5e9..49236a94c495d 100644
--- a/src/vs/workbench/contrib/notebook/browser/viewParts/notebookKernelQuickPickStrategy.ts
+++ b/src/vs/workbench/contrib/notebook/browser/viewParts/notebookKernelQuickPickStrategy.ts
@@ -674,6 +674,7 @@ export class KernelPickerMRUStrategy extends KernelPickerStrategyBase {
 			// select from kernel sources
 			const quickPick = this._quickInputService.createQuickPick<KernelQuickPickItem>();
 			quickPick.title = kernelListEmpty ? localize('select', "Select Kernel") : localize('selectAnotherKernel', "Select Another Kernel");
+			quickPick.placeholder = localize('selectKernel.placeholder', "Type to choose a kernel source");
 			quickPick.busy = true;
 			quickPick.buttons = [this._quickInputService.backButton];
 			quickPick.show();