There are errors in /usr/lib/rpm/rpmpopt with all aliases that use the --qf option. The --qf option can only be used when the -q option is also specified, otherwise you get an "rpm: unexpected query format" message. Simply adding -q to the aliases fixes the problem.
It's too late to change this behavior, you will need to specify -q on the command line when using the popt alias. Or, if you really want the change, make enough noise on rpm-list to achieve consensus on the Right Thing To Do.