diff --git a/beets/importer.py b/beets/importer.py
index 38d2a4e628..3e288c271b 100644
--- a/beets/importer.py
+++ b/beets/importer.py
@@ -572,10 +572,11 @@ def remove_duplicates(self, lib):
                 util.prune_dirs(os.path.dirname(item.path),
                                 lib.directory)
 
-    def set_fields(self):
+    def set_fields(self, lib):
         """Sets the fields given at CLI or configuration to the specified
-        values.
+        values, for both the album and all its items.
         """
+        items = self.imported_items()
         for field, view in config['import']['set_fields'].items():
             value = view.get()
             log.debug(u'Set field {1}={2} for {0}',
@@ -583,7 +584,12 @@ def set_fields(self):
                       field,
                       value)
             self.album[field] = value
-        self.album.store()
+            for item in items:
+                item[field] = value
+        with lib.transaction():
+            for item in items:
+                item.store()
+            self.album.store()
 
     def finalize(self, session):
         """Save progress, clean up files, and emit plugin event.
@@ -946,9 +952,9 @@ def choose_match(self, session):
     def reload(self):
         self.item.load()
 
-    def set_fields(self):
+    def set_fields(self, lib):
         """Sets the fields given at CLI or configuration to the specified
-        values.
+        values, for the singleton item.
         """
         for field, view in config['import']['set_fields'].items():
             value = view.get()
@@ -1516,7 +1522,7 @@ def apply_choice(session, task):
     # because then the ``ImportTask`` won't have an `album` for which
     # it can set the fields.
     if config['import']['set_fields']:
-        task.set_fields()
+        task.set_fields(session.lib)
 
 
 @pipeline.mutator_stage
diff --git a/docs/changelog.rst b/docs/changelog.rst
index 892900ba99..0a468313cf 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.rst
+++ b/docs/changelog.rst
@@ -218,6 +218,8 @@ Other new things:
   ``check_on_import`` config option.
 * :doc:`/plugins/export`: big speedups when `--include-keys` option is used
   Thanks to :user:`ssssam`.
+* The `importer` persists all fields set using :ref:`set_fields` to the
+  mediafiles of all imported tracks.
 * Added 7z support via the `py7zr`_ library
   Thanks to :user:`arogl`.  :bug:`3906`
 * Get ISRC identifiers from musicbrainz
diff --git a/docs/reference/config.rst b/docs/reference/config.rst
index 455639be0d..aabe732c20 100644
--- a/docs/reference/config.rst
+++ b/docs/reference/config.rst
@@ -683,6 +683,9 @@ Here's an example::
 Other field/value pairs supplied via the ``--set`` option on the command-line
 override any settings here for fields with the same name.
 
+Fields are set on both the album and each individual track of the album.
+Fields are persisted to the media files of each track.
+
 Default: ``{}`` (empty).
 
 .. _musicbrainz-config:
diff --git a/test/test_importer.py b/test/test_importer.py
index 48cb23378b..16881a152c 100644
--- a/test/test_importer.py
+++ b/test/test_importer.py
@@ -740,10 +740,12 @@ def test_asis_no_data_source(self):
     def test_set_fields(self):
         genre = u"\U0001F3B7 Jazz"
         collection = u"To Listen"
+        comments = u"managed by beets"
 
         config['import']['set_fields'] = {
+            u'genre': genre,
             u'collection': collection,
-            u'genre': genre
+            u'comments': comments
         }
 
         # As-is album import.
@@ -754,7 +756,17 @@ def test_set_fields(self):
         for album in self.lib.albums():
             album.load()  # TODO: Not sure this is necessary.
             self.assertEqual(album.genre, genre)
-            self.assertEqual(album.collection, collection)
+            self.assertEqual(album.comments, comments)
+            for item in album.items():
+                self.assertEqual(
+                        item.get("genre", with_album=False),
+                        genre)
+                self.assertEqual(
+                        item.get("collection", with_album=False),
+                        collection)
+                self.assertEqual(
+                        item.get("comments", with_album=False),
+                        comments)
             # Remove album from library to test again with APPLY choice.
             album.remove()
 
@@ -767,7 +779,17 @@ def test_set_fields(self):
         for album in self.lib.albums():
             album.load()
             self.assertEqual(album.genre, genre)
-            self.assertEqual(album.collection, collection)
+            self.assertEqual(album.comments, comments)
+            for item in album.items():
+                self.assertEqual(
+                        item.get("genre", with_album=False),
+                        genre)
+                self.assertEqual(
+                        item.get("collection", with_album=False),
+                        collection)
+                self.assertEqual(
+                        item.get("comments", with_album=False),
+                        comments)
 
 
 class ImportTracksTest(_common.TestCase, ImportHelper):