diff --git a/beets/ui/commands.py b/beets/ui/commands.py
index 81e1dc553..24d7280e7 100644
--- a/beets/ui/commands.py
+++ b/beets/ui/commands.py
@@ -814,7 +814,7 @@ def list_items(lib, query, album, fmt, config):
     """Print out items in lib matching query. If album, then search for
     albums instead of single items.
     """
-    tmpl = Template(fmt) if fmt else None
+    tmpl = Template(fmt) if fmt else Template(ui._pick_format(config, album))
     if album:
         for album in lib.albums(query):
             ui.print_obj(album, lib, config, tmpl)