diff --git a/beetsplug/smartplaylist.py b/beetsplug/smartplaylist.py
index ff5e25612d..0b1f6fcc04 100644
--- a/beetsplug/smartplaylist.py
+++ b/beetsplug/smartplaylist.py
@@ -152,8 +152,9 @@ def update_cmd(self, lib: Library, opts: Any, args: list[str]) -> None:
             }
             if not playlists:
                 unmatched = [name for name, _, _ in self._unmatched_playlists]
+                unmatched.sort()
                 raise ui.UserError(
-                    f"No playlist matching any of {unmatched} found"
+                    f"No playlist matching any of {' '.join(unmatched)} found"
                 )
 
             self._matched_playlists = playlists
diff --git a/docs/changelog.rst b/docs/changelog.rst
index 6cd8d7623e..48ea68112b 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.rst
+++ b/docs/changelog.rst
@@ -35,6 +35,11 @@ New features
   2. Semicolon followed by a space
   3. Comma followed by a space
   4. Slash wrapped by spaces
+- :doc:`plugins/smartplaylist`: The list of available playlists shown when an
+  unknown playlist name is passed as an argument is now sorted alphabetically
+  and printed as a space-delimited list instead of the default Python dict
+  representation. This makes it easier to copy and paste multiple playlists for
+  further use in the shell.
 
 ..
     Bug fixes