diff --git a/modules/backend/widgets/Lists.php b/modules/backend/widgets/Lists.php
index f1946d747..59fc31194 100644
--- a/modules/backend/widgets/Lists.php
+++ b/modules/backend/widgets/Lists.php
@@ -1517,7 +1517,7 @@ class Lists extends WidgetBase
     /**
      * Returns the current sorting column, saved in a session or cached.
      */
-    protected function getSortColumn()
+    public function getSortColumn()
     {
         if (!$this->isSortable()) {
             return false;
@@ -1564,6 +1564,14 @@ class Lists extends WidgetBase
         return $this->sortColumn;
     }
 
+    /*
+     * Returns the current sort direction or default of 'asc'
+     */
+    public function getSortDirection()
+    {
+        return $this->sortDirection ?? 'asc';
+    }
+
     /**
      * Returns true if the column can be sorted.
      */