diff --git a/src/utils.py b/src/utils.py
index fe4f204b8..aaa3e06d8 100755
--- a/src/utils.py
+++ b/src/utils.py
@@ -377,6 +377,13 @@ def sortBy(f, L, cmp=cmp):
     for (i, elt) in enumerate(L):
         L[i] = L[i][2]
 
+def sorted(iterable, *args, **kwargs):
+    """Returns a sorted list made from iterable.  All other args are given to
+    list.sort unchanged."""
+    L = list(iterable)
+    L.sort(*args, **kwargs)
+    return L
+
 def mktemp(suffix=''):
     """Gives a decent random string, suitable for a filename."""
     import sha
diff --git a/test/test_utils.py b/test/test_utils.py
index a4b46fe93..90bf42294 100644
--- a/test/test_utils.py
+++ b/test/test_utils.py
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@ import sets
 
 import utils
 
-
 class UtilsTest(unittest.TestCase):
     def testPluralize(self):
         f = utils.pluralize
@@ -212,6 +211,14 @@ class UtilsTest(unittest.TestCase):
         L = ['supybot', 'Supybot']
         utils.sortBy(str.lower, L)
         self.assertEqual(L, ['supybot', 'Supybot'])
+
+    def testSorted(self):
+        L = ['a', 'c', 'b']
+        self.assertEqual(utils.sorted(L), ['a', 'b', 'c'])
+        self.assertEqual(L, ['a', 'c', 'b'])
+        def mycmp(x, y):
+            return -cmp(x, y)
+        self.assertEqual(utils.sorted(L, mycmp), ['c', 'b', 'a'])
         
     def testNItems(self):
         self.assertEqual(utils.nItems(1, 'tool', 'crazy'), '1 crazy tool')