diff --git a/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/jscript/People.java b/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/jscript/People.java
index e656ca1d6b..088b701d88 100644
--- a/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/jscript/People.java
+++ b/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/jscript/People.java
@@ -556,7 +556,7 @@ public class People extends BaseScopableProcessorExtension implements Initializi
      */
     public Scriptable getPeople(String filter, int maxResults, String sortBy, boolean sortAsc)
     {
-        return getPeoplePaging(filter, new ScriptPagingDetails(maxResults, 0), sortBy, Boolean.valueOf(sortBy));
+        return getPeoplePaging(filter, new ScriptPagingDetails(maxResults, 0), sortBy, Boolean.valueOf(sortAsc));
     }
     
     public Scriptable getPeoplePaging(String filter, ScriptPagingDetails pagingRequest, String sortBy, Boolean sortAsc)