diff --git a/ale_linters/php/phpstan.vim b/ale_linters/php/phpstan.vim
index 78f7dd10..5e231a3b 100644
--- a/ale_linters/php/phpstan.vim
+++ b/ale_linters/php/phpstan.vim
@@ -20,8 +20,9 @@ function! ale_linters#php#phpstan#GetCommand(buffer, version) abort
 
     let l:level =  ale#Var(a:buffer, 'php_phpstan_level')
     let l:config_file_exists = ale#path#FindNearestFile(a:buffer, 'phpstan.neon')
+    let l:dist_config_file_exists = ale#path#FindNearestFile(a:buffer, 'phpstan.neon.dist')
 
-    if empty(l:level) && empty(l:config_file_exists)
+    if empty(l:level) && empty(l:config_file_exists) && empty(l:dist_config_file_exists)
         " if no configuration file is found, then use 4 as a default level
         let l:level = '4'
     endif
diff --git a/test/linter/test_phpstan.vader b/test/linter/test_phpstan.vader
index 813fe448..9f73c18a 100644
--- a/test/linter/test_phpstan.vader
+++ b/test/linter/test_phpstan.vader
@@ -58,6 +58,16 @@ Execute(Configuration file exists in current directory):
   \ ale#Escape('phpstan') . ' analyze --no-progress --errorFormat raw %s'
   \ ]
 
+Execute(Configuration dist file exists in current directory):
+  call writefile(['parameters:', '  level: 7'], './phpstan.neon.dist')
+  let g:ale_php_phpstan_level = ''
+  let g:ale_php_phpstan_configuration = ''
+
+  AssertLinter 'phpstan', [
+  \ ale#Escape('phpstan') . ' --version',
+  \ ale#Escape('phpstan') . ' analyze --no-progress --errorFormat raw %s'
+  \ ]
+
 Execute(Configuration file exists in current directory, but force phpstan level):
   call writefile(['parameters:', '  level: 7'], './phpstan.neon')
   let g:ale_php_phpstan_configuration = ''