--- a/plugins/selection/EntityReference_SelectionHandler_Generic.class.php
+++ b/plugins/selection/EntityReference_SelectionHandler_Generic.class.php
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ class EntityReference_SelectionHandler_Generic implements EntityReference_Select
       '#type' => 'select',
       '#title' => t('Sort field'),
       '#options' => $fields,
-      '#default_value' => isset($field['settings']['handler_settings']['sort']['type']) ? $field['settings']['handler_settings']['sort']['type'] : '',
+      '#default_value' => isset($field['settings']['handler_settings']['sort']['field']) ? $field['settings']['handler_settings']['sort']['field'] : '',
       '#states' => array(
         'visible' => array(
           ':input[name="field[settings][handler_settings][sort][type]"]' => array('value' => 'field'),