diff --git a/cura/Settings/ExtrudersModel.py b/cura/Settings/ExtrudersModel.py
index ae8cff3c9a..4ee5ab3c3b 100644
--- a/cura/Settings/ExtrudersModel.py
+++ b/cura/Settings/ExtrudersModel.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # Copyright (c) 2017 Ultimaker B.V.
 # Cura is released under the terms of the LGPLv3 or higher.
 
-from PyQt5.QtCore import Qt, pyqtSignal, pyqtProperty, QTimer
+from PyQt5.QtCore import Qt, pyqtSignal, pyqtSlot, pyqtProperty, QTimer
 from typing import Iterable
 
 from UM.i18n import i18nCatalog
diff --git a/resources/qml/Settings/SettingExtruder.qml b/resources/qml/Settings/SettingExtruder.qml
index 35ad198edf..2ddbb135c7 100644
--- a/resources/qml/Settings/SettingExtruder.qml
+++ b/resources/qml/Settings/SettingExtruder.qml
@@ -26,6 +26,20 @@ SettingItem
 
         textRole: "name"
 
+        // knowing the extruder position, try to find the item index in the model
+        function getIndexByPosition(position)
+        {
+            for (var item_index in model.items)
+            {
+                var item = model.getItem(item_index)
+                if (item.index == position)
+                {
+                    return item_index
+                }
+            }
+            return -1
+        }
+
         onActivated:
         {
             if (model.getItem(index).enabled)
@@ -83,8 +97,7 @@ SettingItem
             {
                 if(propertyProvider.properties.value == -1)
                 {
-                    // TODO: accidently the extruder position is also the index. fix it
-                    return Cura.MachineManager.defaultExtruderPosition;
+                    return control.getIndexByPosition(Cura.MachineManager.defaultExtruderPosition);
                 }
                 return propertyProvider.properties.value
             }