diff --git a/application/forms/EventRuleConfigElements/EscalationCondition.php b/application/forms/EventRuleConfigElements/EscalationCondition.php
index 121e177a0..efaa44026 100644
--- a/application/forms/EventRuleConfigElements/EscalationCondition.php
+++ b/application/forms/EventRuleConfigElements/EscalationCondition.php
@@ -135,6 +135,7 @@ protected function assemble(): void
         $this->addElement('select', 'operator', [
             'required' => true,
             'options' => $operators,
+            'value' => array_key_first($operators),
             'disabled' => $selectedColumn === 'incident_age'
         ]);