diff --git a/tools/perf/builtin-top.c b/tools/perf/builtin-top.c
index 80c9e06..4bf6e02 100644
--- a/tools/perf/builtin-top.c
+++ b/tools/perf/builtin-top.c
@@ -515,24 +515,25 @@
 			break;
 		case 'E':
 			if (top.evlist->nr_entries > 1) {
+				int counter;
 				fprintf(stderr, "\nAvailable events:");
 
 				list_for_each_entry(top.sym_evsel, &top.evlist->entries, node)
 					fprintf(stderr, "\n\t%d %s", top.sym_evsel->idx, event_name(top.sym_evsel));
 
-				prompt_integer(&top.sym_counter, "Enter details event counter");
+				prompt_integer(&counter, "Enter details event counter");
 
-				if (top.sym_counter >= top.evlist->nr_entries) {
+				if (counter >= top.evlist->nr_entries) {
 					top.sym_evsel = list_entry(top.evlist->entries.next, struct perf_evsel, node);
-					top.sym_counter = 0;
 					fprintf(stderr, "Sorry, no such event, using %s.\n", event_name(top.sym_evsel));
 					sleep(1);
 					break;
 				}
 				list_for_each_entry(top.sym_evsel, &top.evlist->entries, node)
-					if (top.sym_evsel->idx == top.sym_counter)
+					if (top.sym_evsel->idx == counter)
 						break;
-			} else top.sym_counter = 0;
+			} else
+				top.sym_evsel = list_entry(top.evlist->entries.next, struct perf_evsel, node);
 			break;
 		case 'f':
 			prompt_integer(&top.count_filter, "Enter display event count filter");