diff --git a/src/vs/workbench/contrib/format/browser/formatActionsMultiple.ts b/src/vs/workbench/contrib/format/browser/formatActionsMultiple.ts
index 0b6ef5a245a..ffbc3b0dfde 100644
--- a/src/vs/workbench/contrib/format/browser/formatActionsMultiple.ts
+++ b/src/vs/workbench/contrib/format/browser/formatActionsMultiple.ts
@@ -201,19 +201,29 @@ async function showFormatterPick(accessor: ServicesAccessor, model: ITextModel,
 	const overrides = { resource: model.uri, overrideIdentifier: model.getModeId() };
 	const defaultFormatter = configService.getValue<string>(DefaultFormatter.configName, overrides);
 
+	let autoFocusPick;
+
 	const picks = formatters.map((provider, index) => {
-		return <IIndexedPick>{
+		const isDefault = ExtensionIdentifier.equals(provider.extensionId, defaultFormatter);
+		const pick = <IIndexedPick>{
 			index,
 			label: provider.displayName || '',
-			description: ExtensionIdentifier.equals(provider.extensionId, defaultFormatter) ? nls.localize('def', "(default)") : undefined,
+			description: isDefault ? nls.localize('def', "(default)") : undefined,
 		};
+
+		if (isDefault) {
+			// autofocus default pick
+			autoFocusPick = pick;
+		}
+
+		return pick;
 	});
 
 	const configurePick: IQuickPickItem = {
 		label: nls.localize('config', "Configure Default Formatter...")
 	};
 
-	const pick = await quickPickService.pick([...picks, { type: 'separator' }, configurePick], { placeHolder: nls.localize('format.placeHolder', "Select a formatter") });
+	const pick = await quickPickService.pick([...picks, { type: 'separator' }, configurePick], { placeHolder: nls.localize('format.placeHolder', "Select a formatter"), activeItem: autoFocusPick });
 	if (!pick) {
 		// dismissed
 		return undefined;