diff --git a/pkg/cmd/pr/shared/survey.go b/pkg/cmd/pr/shared/survey.go
index 4ee93e3db..4e1d1a421 100644
--- a/pkg/cmd/pr/shared/survey.go
+++ b/pkg/cmd/pr/shared/survey.go
@@ -281,6 +281,8 @@ func MetadataSurvey(io *iostreams.IOStreams, baseRepo ghrepo.Interface, fetcher
 			var milestoneDefault string
 			if len(state.Milestones) > 0 {
 				milestoneDefault = state.Milestones[0]
+			} else {
+				milestoneDefault = milestones[1]
 			}
 			mqs = append(mqs, &survey.Question{
 				Name: "milestone",