diff --git a/beets/dbcore/query.py b/beets/dbcore/query.py
index dcdb1a373c..623cb041c2 100644
--- a/beets/dbcore/query.py
+++ b/beets/dbcore/query.py
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ class NumericColumnQuery(MatchQuery[AnySQLiteType]):
     def col_name(self) -> str:
         """Cast a flexible attribute column (string) to NUMERIC affinity."""
         col_name = super().col_name
-        return col_name if self.fast else f"CAST({col_name} AS NUMERIC)"
+        return col_name if self.on_model else f"CAST({col_name} AS NUMERIC)"
 
 
 class BooleanQuery(NumericColumnQuery[bool]):