diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/grids/base.py b/src/wuttaweb/grids/base.py
index f0f45a1..8a89f9d 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/grids/base.py
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/grids/base.py
@@ -186,8 +186,8 @@ class Grid:  # pylint: disable=too-many-instance-attributes,too-many-public-meth
     .. attribute:: sort_multiple
 
        Boolean indicating whether "multi-column" sorting is allowed.
-       Default is ``True``; if this is ``False`` then only one column
-       may be sorted at a time.
+       This is true by default, where possible.  If false then only
+       one column may be sorted at a time.
 
        Only relevant if :attr:`sortable` is true, but applies to both
        frontend and backend sorting.
@@ -399,7 +399,7 @@ class Grid:  # pylint: disable=too-many-instance-attributes,too-many-public-meth
         linked_columns=None,
         hidden_columns=None,
         sortable=False,
-        sort_multiple=True,
+        sort_multiple=None,
         sort_on_backend=True,
         sorters=None,
         sort_defaults=None,
@@ -441,7 +441,12 @@ class Grid:  # pylint: disable=too-many-instance-attributes,too-many-public-meth
 
         # sorting
         self.sortable = sortable
-        self.sort_multiple = sort_multiple
+        if sort_multiple is not None:
+            self.sort_multiple = sort_multiple
+        elif self.request.use_oruga:
+            self.sort_multiple = False
+        else:
+            self.sort_multiple = bool(self.model_class)
         if self.sort_multiple and self.request.use_oruga:
             log.warning(
                 "grid.sort_multiple is not implemented for Oruga-based templates"
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/views/master.py b/src/wuttaweb/views/master.py
index 57baaff..71a05f9 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/views/master.py
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/views/master.py
@@ -2488,7 +2488,6 @@ class MasterView(View):  # pylint: disable=too-many-public-methods
         kwargs.setdefault("filterable", self.filterable)
         kwargs.setdefault("filter_defaults", self.filter_defaults)
         kwargs.setdefault("sortable", self.sortable)
-        kwargs.setdefault("sort_multiple", not self.request.use_oruga)
         kwargs.setdefault("sort_on_backend", self.sort_on_backend)
         kwargs.setdefault("sort_defaults", self.sort_defaults)
         kwargs.setdefault("paginated", self.paginated)
@@ -3041,7 +3040,6 @@ class MasterView(View):  # pylint: disable=too-many-public-methods
         kwargs.setdefault("filterable", self.rows_filterable)
         kwargs.setdefault("filter_defaults", self.rows_filter_defaults)
         kwargs.setdefault("sortable", self.rows_sortable)
-        kwargs.setdefault("sort_multiple", not self.request.use_oruga)
         kwargs.setdefault("sort_on_backend", self.rows_sort_on_backend)
         kwargs.setdefault("sort_defaults", self.rows_sort_defaults)
         kwargs.setdefault("paginated", self.rows_paginated)
diff --git a/tests/grids/test_base.py b/tests/grids/test_base.py
index 0087e93..8c372ba 100644
--- a/tests/grids/test_base.py
+++ b/tests/grids/test_base.py
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ class TestGrid(WebTestCase):
         return mod.Grid(request or self.request, **kwargs)
 
     def test_constructor(self):
+        model = self.app.model
 
         # empty
         grid = self.make_grid()
@@ -44,6 +45,18 @@ class TestGrid(WebTestCase):
         self.assertIsInstance(grid.columns, FieldList)
         self.assertEqual(grid.columns, ["foo", "bar"])
 
+        # sort_multiple is off by default with no model class
+        self.assertFalse(grid.sort_multiple)
+
+        # sort_multiple is *on* by default *with* model class
+        grid = self.make_grid(model_class=model.User)
+        self.assertTrue(grid.sort_multiple)
+
+        # ..but not if using oruga
+        with patch.object(self.request, "use_oruga", new=True):
+            grid = self.make_grid(model_class=model.User)
+            self.assertFalse(grid.sort_multiple)
+
     def test_constructor_sorting(self):
         model = self.app.model