diff --git a/git-open b/git-open
index ac6bad0..9978261 100755
--- a/git-open
+++ b/git-open
@@ -26,6 +26,11 @@ fi
 # assume remote origin if not provided (unless we are opening an issue, then use upstream)
 if (( is_issue )); then
   remote=${1:-"upstream"}
+  giturl=$(git config --get "remote.${remote}.url")
+  # @TODO ls-remote will also expand "insteadOf" items `giturl=$(git ls-remote --get-url $remote)`
+  if [[ -z "$giturl" ]]; then
+     remote=${1:-"origin"}
+  fi
 else
   remote=${1:-"origin"}
 fi