diff --git a/src/calibre/db/backend.py b/src/calibre/db/backend.py
index e02d68998e..6527b6e817 100644
--- a/src/calibre/db/backend.py
+++ b/src/calibre/db/backend.py
@@ -491,7 +491,7 @@ class DB(object):
 
     def set_user_template_functions(self, user_formatter_functions):
         self._user_template_functions = user_formatter_functions
-        self._template_functions = formatter_functions().get_builtins().copy()
+        self._template_functions = formatter_functions().get_builtins_and_aliases().copy()
         self._template_functions.update(user_formatter_functions)
 
     def initialize_prefs(self, default_prefs, restore_all_prefs, progress_callback):  # {{{