diff --git a/beets/dbcore/queryparse.py b/beets/dbcore/queryparse.py
index 1cb25a8c7..fee38afdd 100644
--- a/beets/dbcore/queryparse.py
+++ b/beets/dbcore/queryparse.py
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@ from __future__ import division, absolute_import, print_function
 import re
 import itertools
 from . import query
-import beets
 
 PARSE_QUERY_PART_REGEX = re.compile(
     # Non-capturing optional segment for the keyword.
@@ -174,11 +173,13 @@ def query_from_strings(query_cls, model_cls, prefixes, query_parts):
     return query_cls(subqueries)
 
 
-def construct_sort_part(model_cls, part):
+def construct_sort_part(model_cls, part, case_insensitive=True):
     """Create a `Sort` from a single string criterion.
 
     `model_cls` is the `Model` being queried. `part` is a single string
-    ending in ``+`` or ``-`` indicating the sort.
+    ending in ``+`` or ``-`` indicating the sort. `case_insensitive`
+    indicates whether or not the sort should be performed in a case
+    sensitive manner.
     """
     assert part, "part must be a field name and + or -"
     field = part[:-1]
@@ -187,7 +188,6 @@ def construct_sort_part(model_cls, part):
     assert direction in ('+', '-'), "part must end with + or -"
     is_ascending = direction == '+'
 
-    case_insensitive = beets.config['sort_case_insensitive'].get(bool)
     if field in model_cls._sorts:
         sort = model_cls._sorts[field](model_cls, is_ascending,
                                        case_insensitive)
@@ -199,21 +199,23 @@ def construct_sort_part(model_cls, part):
     return sort
 
 
-def sort_from_strings(model_cls, sort_parts):
+def sort_from_strings(model_cls, sort_parts, case_insensitive=True):
     """Create a `Sort` from a list of sort criteria (strings).
     """
     if not sort_parts:
         sort = query.NullSort()
     elif len(sort_parts) == 1:
-        sort = construct_sort_part(model_cls, sort_parts[0])
+        sort = construct_sort_part(model_cls, sort_parts[0], case_insensitive)
     else:
         sort = query.MultipleSort()
         for part in sort_parts:
-            sort.add_sort(construct_sort_part(model_cls, part))
+            sort.add_sort(construct_sort_part(model_cls, part,
+                                              case_insensitive))
     return sort
 
 
-def parse_sorted_query(model_cls, parts, prefixes={}):
+def parse_sorted_query(model_cls, parts, prefixes={},
+                       case_insensitive=True):
     """Given a list of strings, create the `Query` and `Sort` that they
     represent.
     """
@@ -248,5 +250,5 @@ def parse_sorted_query(model_cls, parts, prefixes={}):
 
     # Avoid needlessly wrapping single statements in an OR
     q = query.OrQuery(query_parts) if len(query_parts) > 1 else query_parts[0]
-    s = sort_from_strings(model_cls, sort_parts)
+    s = sort_from_strings(model_cls, sort_parts, case_insensitive)
     return q, s
diff --git a/beets/library.py b/beets/library.py
index 16db1e974..d49d67227 100644
--- a/beets/library.py
+++ b/beets/library.py
@@ -1239,8 +1239,10 @@ def parse_query_parts(parts, model_cls):
         else:
             non_path_parts.append(s)
 
+    case_insensitive = beets.config['sort_case_insensitive'].get(bool)
+
     query, sort = dbcore.parse_sorted_query(
-        model_cls, non_path_parts, prefixes
+        model_cls, non_path_parts, prefixes, case_insensitive
     )
 
     # Add path queries to aggregate query.