diff --git a/src/Command/CloseIssueCommand.php b/src/Command/CloseIssueCommand.php
index 88bebd5..ad89c69 100644
--- a/src/Command/CloseIssueCommand.php
+++ b/src/Command/CloseIssueCommand.php
@@ -173,6 +173,11 @@ private function getMessage()
      */
     private function askChoices($prompt, $list, $errorMessage, $default = null)
     {
+        // default given and present in $list, use that
+        if ($default && isset($list[$default])) {
+            return $default;
+        }
+
         // avoid asking if answer is known
         switch (count($list)) {
             case 0: