diff --git a/addon/globalPlugins/webAccess/gui/rule/criteriaEditor.py b/addon/globalPlugins/webAccess/gui/rule/criteriaEditor.py
index 9a9414bb..d87ae988 100644
--- a/addon/globalPlugins/webAccess/gui/rule/criteriaEditor.py
+++ b/addon/globalPlugins/webAccess/gui/rule/criteriaEditor.py
@@ -471,7 +471,8 @@ def initData(self, context):
 		else:
 			for index in range(nbAlternatives):
 				self.sequenceOrderChoice.Append(str(index + 1))
-			index = data.get("criteriaIndex", nbAlternatives + 1)
+			# Default to the last position (append) if unset, e.g. when adding a new alternative.
+			index = data.get("criteriaIndex", nbAlternatives - 1)
 			self.sequenceOrderChoice.SetSelection(index)
 		if self.getRuleType() == ruleTypes.ZONE:
 			key = "convert.single" if isDualNode(data) else "convert.dual"
diff --git a/addon/globalPlugins/webAccess/gui/rule/editor.py b/addon/globalPlugins/webAccess/gui/rule/editor.py
index 2fa00ac5..8ccf62cd 100644
--- a/addon/globalPlugins/webAccess/gui/rule/editor.py
+++ b/addon/globalPlugins/webAccess/gui/rule/editor.py
@@ -1092,7 +1092,12 @@ def onCriteriaChange(self, change: Change, index: int):
 		parent = self.Parent
 		dlg = parent.Parent.Parent
 		if change is Change.CREATION:
-			dlg.switchToFullEditor()
+			# The new alternative has already been inserted into the rule's criteria
+			# list. Do not flush the currently shown single-node panel: it still holds
+			# the widget values of the previous sole alternative and, since indices may
+			# have shifted, could otherwise overwrite the newly created alternative's
+			# data with stale data (e.g. when it is reordered to the first position).
+			dlg.switchToFullEditor(updateData=False)
 			return
 		parent.switchToAppropriatePanel()
 		parent.shownPanel.initData(self.context)
@@ -1417,11 +1422,12 @@ def onCharHook(self, evt):
 				return
 		super().onCharHook(evt)
 	
-	def switchToFullEditor(self):
+	def switchToFullEditor(self, updateData=True):
 		if not self.simpleMode:
 			wx.Bell()
 			return
-		self.currentCategory.updateData()
+		if updateData:
+			self.currentCategory.updateData()
 		tree = self.catListCtrl
 		treePath = []
 		child = tree.GetSelection()