diff --git a/git-open b/git-open
index 6320f26..ac6bad0 100755
--- a/git-open
+++ b/git-open
@@ -23,8 +23,12 @@ if [[ "$1" == 'issue' ]]; then
   shift
 fi
 
-# assume remote origin if not provided
-remote=${1:-"origin"}
+# assume remote origin if not provided (unless we are opening an issue, then use upstream)
+if (( is_issue )); then
+  remote=${1:-"upstream"}
+else
+  remote=${1:-"origin"}
+fi
 
 # @TODO ls-remote will also expand "insteadOf" items `giturl=$(git ls-remote --get-url $remote)``
 giturl=$(git config --get "remote.${remote}.url")