diff --git a/frappe/core/doctype/doctype/doctype.py b/frappe/core/doctype/doctype/doctype.py
index c8eb3a5978..4a6ec9cbde 100644
--- a/frappe/core/doctype/doctype/doctype.py
+++ b/frappe/core/doctype/doctype/doctype.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import frappe
 from frappe import _
 
 from frappe.utils import now, cint
-from frappe.model import no_value_fields
+from frappe.model import no_value_fields, default_fields
 from frappe.model.document import Document
 from frappe.custom.doctype.property_setter.property_setter import make_property_setter
 from frappe.desk.notifications import delete_notification_count_for
@@ -419,7 +419,6 @@ def validate_fields(meta):
 		if not meta.search_fields:
 			return
 
-		fieldname_list = [d.fieldname for d in fields]
 		for fieldname in (meta.search_fields or "").split(","):
 			fieldname = fieldname.strip()
 			if fieldname not in fieldname_list:
@@ -430,8 +429,6 @@ def validate_fields(meta):
 		if not meta.get("title_field"):
 			return
 
-		fieldname_list = [d.fieldname for d in fields]
-
 		if meta.title_field not in fieldname_list:
 			frappe.throw(_("Title field must be a valid fieldname"), InvalidFieldNameError)
 
@@ -469,8 +466,6 @@ def validate_fields(meta):
 		if not meta.timeline_field:
 			return
 
-		fieldname_list = [d.fieldname for d in fields]
-
 		if meta.timeline_field not in fieldname_list:
 			frappe.throw(_("Timeline field must be a valid fieldname"), InvalidFieldNameError)
 
@@ -478,7 +473,15 @@ def validate_fields(meta):
 		if df.fieldtype not in ("Link", "Dynamic Link"):
 			frappe.throw(_("Timeline field must be a Link or Dynamic Link"), InvalidFieldNameError)
 
+	def check_sort_field(meta):
+		if meta.sort_field:
+			if not meta.sort_field in fieldname_list + list(default_fields):
+				frappe.throw(_("Sort field must be a valid fieldname"), InvalidFieldNameError)
+
+
 	fields = meta.get("fields")
+	fieldname_list = [d.fieldname for d in fields]
+
 	not_allowed_in_list_view = list(copy.copy(no_value_fields))
 	if meta.istable:
 		not_allowed_in_list_view.remove('Button')
@@ -502,6 +505,7 @@ def validate_fields(meta):
 	check_search_fields(meta)
 	check_title_field(meta)
 	check_timeline_field(meta)
+	check_sort_field(meta)
 
 def validate_permissions_for_doctype(doctype, for_remove=False):
 	"""Validates if permissions are set correctly."""