diff --git a/docs/changelog.txt b/docs/changelog.txt
index 78e8a56cc3..18dec0f08a 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.txt
+++ b/docs/changelog.txt
@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@ Template for new versions:
 - `3dveins`: fix failure on embarks that cross midmap tiles
 - `aquifer`: make ``--skip-top`` and top-relative ``--levels`` take effect for the ``drain``, ``convert``, and ``add`` actions instead of being silently ignored
 - `autodump`: ``destroy`` no longer leaves the contents of destroyed containers in limbo or crashes when destroying unit-held items
+- `sort`: fix justice filters applying to the hidden "Open cases" unit list when the "Cold cases" tab is active
 - `timestream`: deal properly with units who have breathing difficulties
 
 ## Misc Improvements
diff --git a/plugins/lua/sort/info.lua b/plugins/lua/sort/info.lua
index 4f0462dfb7..84ec2ba057 100644
--- a/plugins/lua/sort/info.lua
+++ b/plugins/lua/sort/info.lua
@@ -611,12 +611,18 @@ end
 
 local function get_unit_list(which)
     local tabs = dfhack.gui.getWidget(justice, 'Tabs')
-    return dfhack.gui.getWidget(tabs, 'Open cases', 'Right panel', which) or
-        dfhack.gui.getWidget(tabs, 'Cold cases', 'Right panel', which)
+    for _,tab in ipairs(dfhack.gui.getWidgetChildren(tabs)) do
+        if tab.flag.VISIBILITY_VISIBLE then
+            return dfhack.gui.getWidget(tab, 'Right panel', which)
+        end
+    end
 end
 
 local function poke_list(which)
-    get_unit_list(which).sort_flags.NEEDS_RESORTED = true
+    local list = get_unit_list(which)
+    if list then
+        list.sort_flags.NEEDS_RESORTED = true
+    end
 end
 
 JusticeOverlay = defclass(JusticeOverlay, overlay.OverlayWidget)
diff --git a/test/plugins/sort.lua b/test/plugins/sort.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a64be615fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/plugins/sort.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+config.mode = 'fortress'
+config.target = 'sort'
+
+local info = require('plugins.sort.info')
+local sort = require('plugins.sort')
+
+local overlay_widgets = package.loaded['plugins.overlay']
+
+local mocked_tabs
+
+local function make_list()
+    return {sort_flags={NEEDS_RESORTED=false}}
+end
+
+local function make_tab(visible)
+    local lists = {
+        Interrogate=make_list(),
+        Convict=make_list(),
+    }
+    return {
+        flag={VISIBILITY_VISIBLE=visible},
+        children_by_name={
+            ['Right panel']={children_by_name=lists},
+        },
+    }, lists
+end
+
+local function make_widget_tree(cold_visible)
+    local open_tab, open_lists = make_tab(not cold_visible)
+    local cold_tab, cold_lists = make_tab(cold_visible)
+    mocked_tabs = {
+        children={open_tab, cold_tab},
+        children_by_name={
+            ['Open cases']=open_tab,
+            ['Cold cases']=cold_tab,
+        },
+    }
+    return open_lists, cold_lists
+end
+
+local function get_widget(parent, ...)
+    local widget = parent
+    for _,key in ipairs{...} do
+        if type(widget) == 'table' then
+            widget = widget.children_by_name[key]
+        else
+            -- real df container: only the top-level justice Tabs lookup is mocked
+            widget = key == 'Tabs' and mocked_tabs or nil
+        end
+        if widget == nil then return nil end
+    end
+    return widget
+end
+
+local function get_widget_children(container)
+    return type(container) == 'table' and container.children or {}
+end
+
+local function with_mocks(fn, extra_patches)
+    local patches = {
+        {dfhack.gui, 'getWidget', get_widget},
+        {dfhack.gui, 'getWidgetChildren', get_widget_children},
+        {info, 'interrogate_instance', info.interrogate_instance},
+        {info, 'convict_instance', info.convict_instance},
+    }
+    for _,patch in ipairs(extra_patches or {}) do
+        table.insert(patches, patch)
+    end
+    mock.patch(patches, fn)
+end
+
+function test.justice_filter_pokes_visible_cold_cases_list()
+    local open_lists, cold_lists = make_widget_tree(true)
+    with_mocks(function()
+        info.InterrogationOverlay{}.subviews.subset.on_change()
+    end)
+    expect.false_(open_lists.Interrogate.sort_flags.NEEDS_RESORTED)
+    expect.true_(cold_lists.Interrogate.sort_flags.NEEDS_RESORTED)
+end
+
+function test.justice_filter_pokes_visible_open_cases_list()
+    local open_lists, cold_lists = make_widget_tree(false)
+    with_mocks(function()
+        info.InterrogationOverlay{}.subviews.subset.on_change()
+    end)
+    expect.true_(open_lists.Interrogate.sort_flags.NEEDS_RESORTED)
+    expect.false_(cold_lists.Interrogate.sort_flags.NEEDS_RESORTED)
+end
+
+function test.justice_conviction_pokes_visible_cold_cases_list()
+    local open_lists, cold_lists = make_widget_tree(true)
+    with_mocks(function()
+        info.ConvictionOverlay{}.subviews.subset.on_change()
+    end)
+    expect.false_(open_lists.Convict.sort_flags.NEEDS_RESORTED)
+    expect.true_(cold_lists.Convict.sort_flags.NEEDS_RESORTED)
+end
+
+function test.justice_filter_installed_on_visible_list()
+    local _, cold_lists = make_widget_tree(true)
+    local passed_list
+    local set_filter = mock.observe_func(function(list) passed_list = list end)
+    with_mocks(function()
+        info.InterrogationOverlay{}:render()
+    end, {
+        {sort, 'sort_set_justice_filter_fn', set_filter},
+        {overlay_widgets.OverlayWidget, 'render', mock.func()},
+    })
+    expect.eq(1, set_filter.call_count)
+    expect.eq(cold_lists.Interrogate, passed_list)
+end