diff --git a/src/plugins/data/public/ui/filter_bar/filter_editor/generic_combo_box.tsx b/src/plugins/data/public/ui/filter_bar/filter_editor/generic_combo_box.tsx
index 66adbfe9a6fc3..c66518c18a9ea 100644
--- a/src/plugins/data/public/ui/filter_bar/filter_editor/generic_combo_box.tsx
+++ b/src/plugins/data/public/ui/filter_bar/filter_editor/generic_combo_box.tsx
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ export function GenericComboBox<T>(props: GenericComboBoxProps<T>) {
       options={euiOptions}
       selectedOptions={selectedEuiOptions}
       onChange={onComboBoxChange}
+      sortMatchesBy="startsWith"
       {...otherProps}
     />
   );