diff --git a/django/views/admin/main.py b/django/views/admin/main.py
index 907adec31e..c0a177a928 100644
--- a/django/views/admin/main.py
+++ b/django/views/admin/main.py
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ def change_list(request, app_label, module_name):
     lookup_order_field = order_field
     if isinstance(lookup_opts.get_field(order_field).rel, meta.ManyToOne):
         f = lookup_opts.get_field(order_field)
-        lookup_order_field = '%s.%s' % (f.rel.to.db_table, f.rel.to.ordering[0][0])
+        lookup_order_field = '%s.%s' % (f.rel.to.db_table, f.rel.to.ordering[0])
     # Use select_related if one of the list_display options is a field with a
     # relationship.
     for field_name in lookup_opts.admin.list_display: