diff --git a/watcher/decision_engine/strategy/strategies/node_resource_consolidation.py b/watcher/decision_engine/strategy/strategies/node_resource_consolidation.py
index 38a46a6d5..2cae747d9 100644
--- a/watcher/decision_engine/strategy/strategies/node_resource_consolidation.py
+++ b/watcher/decision_engine/strategy/strategies/node_resource_consolidation.py
@@ -250,7 +250,8 @@ class NodeResourceConsolidation(base.ServerConsolidationBaseStrategy):
 
     def pre_execute(self):
         self._pre_execute()
-        self.host_choice = self.input_parameters.host_choice
+        self.host_choice = self.input_parameters.get('host_choice', 'auto')
+        self.planner = 'node_resource_consolidation'
 
     def do_execute(self, audit=None):
         """Strategy execution phase
diff --git a/watcher/tests/decision_engine/strategy/strategies/test_node_resource_consolidation.py b/watcher/tests/decision_engine/strategy/strategies/test_node_resource_consolidation.py
index cd9018970..7c598db6c 100644
--- a/watcher/tests/decision_engine/strategy/strategies/test_node_resource_consolidation.py
+++ b/watcher/tests/decision_engine/strategy/strategies/test_node_resource_consolidation.py
@@ -34,6 +34,17 @@ class TestNodeResourceConsolidation(TestBaseStrategy):
             config=mock.Mock())
         self.model = self.fake_c_cluster.generate_scenario_10()
         self.m_c_model.return_value = self.model
+        self.strategy.input_parameters = {'host_choice': 'auto'}
+
+    def test_pre_execute(self):
+        planner = 'node_resource_consolidation'
+        self.assertEqual('auto', self.strategy.host_choice)
+        self.assertNotEqual(planner, self.strategy.planner)
+        self.strategy.input_parameters.update(
+            {'host_choice': 'specify'})
+        self.strategy.pre_execute()
+        self.assertEqual(planner, self.strategy.planner)
+        self.assertEqual('specify', self.strategy.host_choice)
 
     def test_check_resources(self):
         instance = [self.model.get_instance_by_uuid(