diff --git a/src/app/qgsprojectproperties.cpp b/src/app/qgsprojectproperties.cpp
index 8c9e8173149..b90b72915ad 100644
--- a/src/app/qgsprojectproperties.cpp
+++ b/src/app/qgsprojectproperties.cpp
@@ -1029,11 +1029,16 @@ void QgsProjectProperties::setMapUnitsToCurrentProjection()
   radDegrees->setChecked( units == QGis::Degrees );
 
   // attempt to reset the projection ellipsoid according to the srs
-  int i;
-  for ( i = 0; i < mEllipsoidList.length() && mEllipsoidList[ i ].description != srs.description(); i++ )
-    ;
-  if ( i < mEllipsoidList.length() )
-    updateEllipsoidUI( i );
+  int myIndex = 0;
+  for ( int i = 0; i < mEllipsoidList.length(); i++ )
+  {
+    if ( mEllipsoidList[ i ].acronym == srs.ellipsoidAcronym() )
+    {
+      myIndex = i;
+      break;
+    }
+  }
+  updateEllipsoidUI( myIndex );
 }
 
 /*!