diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/index_lifecycle_management/public/application/sections/edit_policy/components/phases/shared_fields/data_tier_allocation_field/components/node_allocation.tsx b/x-pack/plugins/index_lifecycle_management/public/application/sections/edit_policy/components/phases/shared_fields/data_tier_allocation_field/components/node_allocation.tsx
index a2bad060a5893f4..9de959e4d5e83fb 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugins/index_lifecycle_management/public/application/sections/edit_policy/components/phases/shared_fields/data_tier_allocation_field/components/node_allocation.tsx
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/index_lifecycle_management/public/application/sections/edit_policy/components/phases/shared_fields/data_tier_allocation_field/components/node_allocation.tsx
@@ -100,6 +100,9 @@ export const NodeAllocation: FunctionComponent<SharedProps> = ({
       <UseField
         path={`_meta.${phase}.allocationNodeAttribute`}
         component={SelectField}
+        config={{
+          defaultValue: nodeAllocationOptions.length ? nodeAllocationOptions[0].value : '',
+        }}
         componentProps={{
           helpText: !!selectedAllocationNodeAttribute ? (
             <EuiButtonEmpty