diff --git a/src/generic/choicdgg.cpp b/src/generic/choicdgg.cpp
index 6e591c78cd..bb2a38dc56 100644
--- a/src/generic/choicdgg.cpp
+++ b/src/generic/choicdgg.cpp
@@ -218,8 +218,9 @@ size_t wxGetMultipleChoices(wxArrayInt& selections,
 {
     wxMultiChoiceDialog dialog(parent, message, caption, n, choices);
 
-    if ( !selections.IsEmpty() )
-        dialog.SetSelections(selections);
+    // call this even if selections array is empty and this then (correctly)
+    // deselects the first item which is selected by default
+    dialog.SetSelections(selections);
 
     if ( dialog.ShowModal() == wxID_OK )
         selections = dialog.GetSelections();