diff --git a/tailbone/grids/core.py b/tailbone/grids/core.py
index dc1a5af0..a3d85006 100644
--- a/tailbone/grids/core.py
+++ b/tailbone/grids/core.py
@@ -1242,7 +1242,7 @@ class Grid(object):
                     spec = {
                         'sortkey': sortkey,
                         'model': sortfunc._class.__name__,
-                        'field': sortfunc._column.name,
+                        'field': sortfunc._column.key,
                         'direction': sortdir or 'asc',
                     }
                     full_spec.append(spec)