diff --git a/pandora/item/models.py b/pandora/item/models.py
index d8dab72bd..6ca18224a 100644
--- a/pandora/item/models.py
+++ b/pandora/item/models.py
@@ -816,7 +816,7 @@ class Item(models.Model):
             Facet.objects.filter(item=self, key=key, value__in=removed_values).delete()
         for value in current_values:
             if value not in saved_values:
-                sortvalue = value.lower()[:900]
+                sortvalue = utils.sort_string(value).lower()[:900]
                 Facet.objects.get_or_create(item=self, key=key, value=value, sortvalue=sortvalue)
 
     def update_layer_facets(self):
@@ -864,7 +864,7 @@ class Item(models.Model):
                     sortvalue = value
                     if key in self.person_keys + ['name']:
                         sortvalue = get_name_sort(value)
-                    sortvalue = sortvalue.lower()[:900]
+                    sortvalue = utils.sort_string(value).lower()[:900]
                     Facet.objects.get_or_create(item=self, key=key, value=value, sortvalue=sortvalue)
         self.update_layer_facets()