diff --git a/docs/plugins/playlist.rst b/docs/plugins/playlist.rst
index 81fc60beb..ebff72da5 100644
--- a/docs/plugins/playlist.rst
+++ b/docs/plugins/playlist.rst
@@ -24,6 +24,16 @@ name::
 
     $ beet ls playlist:anotherplaylist
 
+A playlist query will use the paths found in the playlist file to match items
+in the beets library. Since `playlist:` submits a regular beets query like any
+other query syntax (eg. `artist:`, `year:`, ...), the sorting order of either
+the configuartion setting `sort_item` or any sorting patterns submitted with
+the query command will be used::
+
+    $ beet ls playlist:/path/to/someplaylist.m3u artist+ year+
+
+Currently retaining the original sort order of the playlist is not supported.
+
 The plugin can also update playlists in the playlist directory automatically
 every time an item is moved or deleted. This can be controlled by the ``auto``
 configuration option.