diff --git a/src/plugins/debugger/debuggerkitinformation.cpp b/src/plugins/debugger/debuggerkitinformation.cpp
index 8d4cd6299a5..5bc634fed84 100644
--- a/src/plugins/debugger/debuggerkitinformation.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/debugger/debuggerkitinformation.cpp
@@ -59,14 +59,20 @@ DebuggerKitInformation::DebuggerKitInformation()
 QVariant DebuggerKitInformation::defaultValue(const Kit *k) const
 {
     const Abi toolChainAbi = ToolChainKitInformation::targetAbi(k);
+    const QStringList paths = Environment::systemEnvironment().path();
+    QVariant nextBestFit;
     foreach (const DebuggerItem &item, DebuggerItemManager::debuggers()) {
         foreach (const Abi targetAbi, item.abis()) {
-            if (targetAbi.isCompatibleWith(toolChainAbi))
-                return item.id();
+            if (targetAbi.isCompatibleWith(toolChainAbi)) {
+                if (paths.contains(item.command().toFileInfo().absolutePath()))
+                    return item.id(); // prefer debuggers found in PATH over those found elsewhere
+                if (nextBestFit.isNull())
+                    nextBestFit = item.id();
+            }
         }
     }
 
-    return QVariant();
+    return nextBestFit;
 }
 
 void DebuggerKitInformation::setup(Kit *k)