diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/util.py b/src/wuttaweb/util.py
index 0697f03..f634c00 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/util.py
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/util.py
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ import uuid as _uuid
 import warnings
 
 import sqlalchemy as sa
+from sqlalchemy import orm
 
 import colander
 from webhelpers2.html import HTML, tags
@@ -478,24 +479,36 @@ def render_csrf_token(request, name='_csrf'):
     return HTML.tag('div', tags.hidden(name, value=token, id=None), style='display:none;')
 
 
-def get_model_fields(config, model_class=None):
+def get_model_fields(config, model_class, include_fk=False):
     """
     Convenience function to return a list of field names for the given
-    model class.
+    :term:`data model` class.
 
     This logic only supports SQLAlchemy mapped classes and will use
     that to determine the field listing if applicable.  Otherwise this
     returns ``None``.
-    """
-    if not model_class:
-        return
 
+    :param config: App :term:`config object`.
+
+    :param model_class: Data model class.
+
+    :param include_fk: Whether to include foreign key column names in
+       the result.  They are excluded by default, since the
+       relationship names are also included and generally preferred.
+
+    :returns: List of field names, or ``None`` if it could not be
+       determined.
+    """
     try:
         mapper = sa.inspect(model_class)
     except sa.exc.NoInspectionAvailable:
         return
 
-    fields = [prop.key for prop in mapper.iterate_properties]
+    if include_fk:
+        fields = [prop.key for prop in mapper.iterate_properties]
+    else:
+        fields = [prop.key for prop in mapper.iterate_properties
+                  if not prop_is_fk(mapper, prop)]
 
     # nb. we never want the continuum 'versions' prop
     app = config.get_app()
@@ -505,6 +518,20 @@ def get_model_fields(config, model_class=None):
     return fields
 
 
+def prop_is_fk(mapper, prop):
+    """ """
+    if not isinstance(prop, orm.ColumnProperty):
+        return False
+
+    prop_columns = [col.name for col in prop.columns]
+    for rel in mapper.relationships:
+        rel_columns = [col.name for col in rel.local_columns]
+        if rel_columns == prop_columns:
+            return True
+
+    return False
+
+
 def make_json_safe(value, key=None, warn=True):
     """
     Convert a Python value as needed, to ensure it is compatible with
diff --git a/tests/test_util.py b/tests/test_util.py
index 6946d65..b8c7ba7 100644
--- a/tests/test_util.py
+++ b/tests/test_util.py
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ from fanstatic import Library, Resource
 from pyramid import testing
 
 from wuttjamaican.conf import WuttaConfig
+from wuttjamaican.testing import ConfigTestCase
+
 from wuttaweb import util as mod
 
 
@@ -463,14 +465,10 @@ class TestGetFormData(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(data, {'foo2': 'baz'})
 
 
-class TestGetModelFields(TestCase):
-
-    def setUp(self):
-        self.config = WuttaConfig()
-        self.app = self.config.get_app()
+class TestGetModelFields(ConfigTestCase):
 
     def test_empty_model_class(self):
-        fields = mod.get_model_fields(self.config)
+        fields = mod.get_model_fields(self.config, None)
         self.assertIsNone(fields)
 
     def test_unknown_model_class(self):
@@ -482,6 +480,19 @@ class TestGetModelFields(TestCase):
         fields = mod.get_model_fields(self.config, model.Setting)
         self.assertEqual(fields, ['name', 'value'])
 
+    def test_include_fk(self):
+        model = self.app.model
+
+        # fk excluded by default
+        fields = mod.get_model_fields(self.config, model.User)
+        self.assertNotIn('person_uuid', fields)
+        self.assertIn('person', fields)
+
+        # fk can be included
+        fields = mod.get_model_fields(self.config, model.User, include_fk=True)
+        self.assertIn('person_uuid', fields)
+        self.assertIn('person', fields)
+
     def test_avoid_versions(self):
         model = self.app.model