diff --git a/gramps2/src/ListModel.py b/gramps2/src/ListModel.py
index 5738e91dc..332d910f2 100644
--- a/gramps2/src/ListModel.py
+++ b/gramps2/src/ListModel.py
@@ -65,8 +65,6 @@ class ListModel:
             if name[0] != '':
                 self.tree.append_column(column)
 
-        if self.cids[0] != -1:
-            self.model.set_sort_column_id(self.cids[0],gtk.SORT_ASCENDING)
         self.connect_model()
         
         if select_func:
@@ -97,7 +95,12 @@ class ListModel:
         self.tree.set_model(self.model)
         if self.sel_iter:
             self.selection.select_iter(self.sel_iter)
-        if self.cid:
+
+        # if the sort column has not been defined (val[0] == -2), set
+        # the sort column to the first column
+        
+        val = self.model.get_sort_column_id()
+        if val[0] == -2 and self.cid:
             self.model.set_sort_column_id(self.cid[0],self.cid[1])
         self.sort()
 
diff --git a/gramps2/src/RelLib.py b/gramps2/src/RelLib.py
index 3e1574c96..bd09d9a85 100644
--- a/gramps2/src/RelLib.py
+++ b/gramps2/src/RelLib.py
@@ -2728,6 +2728,14 @@ class GrampsDB(Persistent):
             self.placeTable[val] = place.getDisplayInfo()
         return place
 
+    def sortbyplace(self,f,s):
+        return cmp(self.placeTable[f][7],self.placeTable[s][7])
+
+    def sortPlaceKeys(self):
+        keys = self.placeTable.keys()
+        keys.sort(self.sortbyplace)
+        return keys
+
     def getPlaceKeys(self):
         return self.placeTable.keys()