diff --git a/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/data/itemFields.js b/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/data/itemFields.js
index d18f6a08be..009c5438ac 100644
--- a/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/data/itemFields.js
+++ b/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/data/itemFields.js
@@ -433,13 +433,11 @@ Zotero.ItemFields = new function() {
 		}
 		
 		var fieldName = this.getName(fieldName);
-		if (!fieldName) {
-			return 'auto';
-		}
-		
-		var baseField = this.getBaseIDFromTypeAndField(itemTypeID, fieldName);
-		if (baseField) {
-			fieldName = this.getName(baseField);
+		if (fieldName) {
+			let baseField = this.getBaseIDFromTypeAndField(itemTypeID, fieldName);
+			if (baseField) {
+				fieldName = this.getName(baseField);
+			}
 		}
 		switch (fieldName) {
 			// Certain fields containing IDs, numbers, and data: always LTR
@@ -466,7 +464,8 @@ Zotero.ItemFields = new function() {
 			case 'extra':
 				return 'ltr';
 			
-			// Everything else: guess based on the language if we have one; otherwise auto
+			// Everything else (including false): guess based on the language if we have one;
+			// otherwise auto
 			default:
 				if (itemLanguage) {
 					let languageCode = Zotero.Utilities.Item.languageToISO6391(itemLanguage);
diff --git a/test/tests/itemFieldsTest.js b/test/tests/itemFieldsTest.js
index baf35ff764..66a1273c39 100644
--- a/test/tests/itemFieldsTest.js
+++ b/test/tests/itemFieldsTest.js
@@ -46,12 +46,12 @@ describe("Zotero.ItemFields", function () {
 	});
 	
 	describe("#getDirection()", function () {
-		it("should return 'auto' for non-field", function () {
-			assert.equal(Zotero.ItemFields.getDirection('book', 'creator-0-lastName', ''), 'auto');
-		});
-		
 		it("should follow app locale for primary field", function () {
 			assert.equal(Zotero.ItemFields.getDirection('book', 'dateAdded', ''), Zotero.dir)
 		});
+		
+		it("should use item language for non-field", function () {
+			assert.equal(Zotero.ItemFields.getDirection('book', 'creator-0-lastName', 'ar'), 'rtl');
+		});
 	});
 })