diff --git a/openerp/addons/base/ir/ir_needaction.py b/openerp/addons/base/ir/ir_needaction.py
index 745546ad0f2..f17cdd1420b 100644
--- a/openerp/addons/base/ir/ir_needaction.py
+++ b/openerp/addons/base/ir/ir_needaction.py
@@ -61,5 +61,5 @@ class ir_needaction_mixin(osv.AbstractModel):
         dom = self._needaction_domain_get(cr, uid, context=context)
         if not dom:
             return 0
-        res = self.search(cr, uid, (domain or []) + dom, limit=1000, order='id DESC', context=context)
+        res = self.search(cr, uid, (domain or []) + dom, limit=1000, order='', context=context)
         return len(res)
diff --git a/openerp/osv/orm.py b/openerp/osv/orm.py
index 840758f753d..ca58ffa7577 100644
--- a/openerp/osv/orm.py
+++ b/openerp/osv/orm.py
@@ -4785,7 +4785,8 @@ class BaseModel(object):
         :raise" except_orm in case order_spec is malformed
         """
         order_by_clause = ''
-        order_spec = order_spec or self._order
+        if order_spec is None:
+            order_spec = self._order
         if order_spec:
             order_by_elements = []
             self._check_qorder(order_spec)