diff --git a/cura/Machines/MaterialManager.py b/cura/Machines/MaterialManager.py
index 2b41718975..aee96f3153 100644
--- a/cura/Machines/MaterialManager.py
+++ b/cura/Machines/MaterialManager.py
@@ -644,8 +644,11 @@ class MaterialManager(QObject):
         machine_manager = self._application.getMachineManager()
         extruder_stack = machine_manager.activeStack
 
+        machine_definition = self._application.getGlobalContainerStack().definition
+        preferred_material = machine_definition.getMetaDataEntry("preferred_material")
+
         approximate_diameter = str(extruder_stack.approximateMaterialDiameter)
-        root_material_id = "generic_pla"
+        root_material_id = preferred_material if preferred_material else "generic_pla"
         root_material_id = self.getRootMaterialIDForDiameter(root_material_id, approximate_diameter)
         material_group = self.getMaterialGroup(root_material_id)