diff --git a/tailbone/grids/filters.py b/tailbone/grids/filters.py
index 54643c94..9d08c881 100644
--- a/tailbone/grids/filters.py
+++ b/tailbone/grids/filters.py
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ class GridFilter(object):
         if value_renderer:
             self.set_value_renderer(value_renderer)
         elif value_enum:
-            self.set_value_renderer(EnumValueRenderer(value_enum))
+            self.set_choices(value_enum)
         else:
             self.set_value_renderer(self.value_renderer_factory)
         self.default_active = default_active
@@ -189,13 +189,13 @@ class GridFilter(object):
             return verbs
         return ['equal', 'not_equal', 'is_null', 'is_not_null', 'is_any']
 
-    def set_choices(self, choices):
+    def normalize_choices(self, choices):
         """
-        Set the value choices for the filter, post-construction.  Note that
-        this also will set the value renderer to one which supports choices.
+        Normalize a set of "choices" to a format suitable for use with the
+        filter.
 
-        :param choices: A collection of "choices" for the filter.  This must be
-           in one of the following formats:
+        :param choices: A collection of "choices" in one of the following
+           formats:
 
            * simple list, each value of which should be a string, which is
              assumed to be able to serve as both key and value (ordering of
@@ -205,20 +205,30 @@ class GridFilter(object):
            * OrderedDict, keys and values of which will define the choices
              (ordering of choices will be preserved)
         """
-        # first must normalize choices
         if isinstance(choices, OrderedDict):
             normalized = choices
+
         elif isinstance(choices, dict):
             normalized = OrderedDict([
                 (key, choices[key])
                 for key in sorted(choices)])
+
         elif isinstance(choices, list):
             normalized = OrderedDict([
                 (key, key)
                 for key in choices])
 
-        # store normalized choices, and set renderer
-        self.choices = normalized
+        return normalized
+
+    def set_choices(self, choices):
+        """
+        Set the value choices for the filter.  Note that this also will set the
+        value renderer to one which supports choices.
+
+        :param choices: A collection of "choices" which will be normalized by
+           way of :meth:`normalize_choices()`.
+        """
+        self.choices = self.normalize_choices(choices)
         self.set_value_renderer(ChoiceValueRenderer(self.choices))
 
     def set_value_renderer(self, renderer):