diff --git a/lemur/defaults/views.py b/lemur/defaults/views.py
index d053aef7..46987ab7 100644
--- a/lemur/defaults/views.py
+++ b/lemur/defaults/views.py
@@ -57,7 +57,8 @@ class LemurDefaults(AuthenticatedResource):
             state=current_app.config.get('LEMUR_DEFAULT_STATE'),
             location=current_app.config.get('LEMUR_DEFAULT_LOCATION'),
             organization=current_app.config.get('LEMUR_DEFAULT_ORGANIZATION'),
-            organizationalUnit=current_app.config.get('LEMUR_DEFAULT_ORGANIZATIONAL_UNIT')
+            organizationalUnit=current_app.config.get('LEMUR_DEFAULT_ORGANIZATIONAL_UNIT'),
+            issuerPlugin=current_app.config.get('LEMUR_DEFAULT_ISSUER_PLUGIN')
         )
 
 api.add_resource(LemurDefaults, '/defaults', endpoint='default')
diff --git a/lemur/static/app/angular/authorities/authority/authority.js b/lemur/static/app/angular/authorities/authority/authority.js
index c67e7513..d4b4bdde 100644
--- a/lemur/static/app/angular/authorities/authority/authority.js
+++ b/lemur/static/app/angular/authorities/authority/authority.js
@@ -73,7 +73,15 @@ angular.module('lemur')
 
     PluginService.getByType('issuer').then(function (plugins) {
         $scope.plugins = plugins;
-        $scope.authority.plugin = plugins[0];
+        if ($scope.authority.defaultIssuerPlugin) {
+          plugins.forEach(function(plugin) {
+            if (plugin.slug === $scope.authority.defaultIssuerPlugin) {
+              $scope.authority.plugin = plugin;
+            }
+          });
+        } else {
+          $scope.authority.plugin = plugins[0];
+        }
     });
 
     $scope.roleService = RoleService;
diff --git a/lemur/static/app/angular/authorities/services.js b/lemur/static/app/angular/authorities/services.js
index 4af4daab..fa976b52 100644
--- a/lemur/static/app/angular/authorities/services.js
+++ b/lemur/static/app/angular/authorities/services.js
@@ -102,6 +102,7 @@ angular.module('lemur')
         authority.location = defaults.location;
         authority.organization = defaults.organization;
         authority.organizationalUnit = defaults.organizationalUnit;
+        authority.defaultIssuerPlugin = defaults.issuerPlugin;
       });
     };