diff --git a/lib/query/query.js b/lib/query/query.js
index 79ec6f69..97e01981 100644
--- a/lib/query/query.js
+++ b/lib/query/query.js
@@ -247,6 +247,12 @@ Query.prototype = new (function () {
                   throw new Error(p + ' is not a valid field for ' +
                       this.model.modelName);
                 }
+                // alias for `asc`(1) and `desc`(-1)
+                if (val == 1) {
+                  val = 'asc';
+                } else if (val == -1) {
+                  val = 'desc';
+                }
                 if (!(val == 'asc' || val == 'desc')) {
                   throw new Error('Sort directon for ' + p +
                       ' field on ' + validatedField.modelName + ' must be ' +