diff --git a/CRM/Contact/BAO/Query.php b/CRM/Contact/BAO/Query.php
index 1dc98f75045d..517c3f2e673b 100644
--- a/CRM/Contact/BAO/Query.php
+++ b/CRM/Contact/BAO/Query.php
@@ -6461,7 +6461,7 @@ protected function prepareOrderBy($sort, $sortOrder) {
           // Pretty sure this validation ALSO happens in the order clause & this can't be reached but...
           // this might give some early warning.
           CRM_Utils_Type::validate($fieldIDsInOrder, 'CommaSeparatedIntegers');
-          $order = str_replace("$field", "field({$fieldSpec['name']},$fieldIDsInOrder)", $order);
+          $order = str_replace("$field", "field({$fieldSpec['where']},$fieldIDsInOrder)", $order);
         }
         //CRM-12565 add "`" around $field if it is a pseudo constant
         // This appears to be for 'special' fields like locations with appended numbers or hyphens .. maybe.