diff --git a/src/Text/Pandoc/Writers/Org.hs b/src/Text/Pandoc/Writers/Org.hs
index fed334f35..3b7845cc9 100644
--- a/src/Text/Pandoc/Writers/Org.hs
+++ b/src/Text/Pandoc/Writers/Org.hs
@@ -207,10 +207,9 @@ blockToOrg (OrderedList (start, _, delim) items) = do
                     x         -> x
   let markers = take (length items) $ orderedListMarkers
                                       (start, Decimal, delim')
-  let maxMarkerLength = maybe 0 maximum . nonEmpty $ map T.length markers
-  let markers' = map (\m -> let s = maxMarkerLength - T.length m
-                            in  m <> T.replicate s " ") markers
-  contents <- zipWithM orderedListItemToOrg markers' items
+      counters = (case start of 1 -> Nothing; n -> Just n) : repeat Nothing
+  contents <- zipWithM (\x f -> f x) items $
+              zipWith orderedListItemToOrg markers counters
   -- ensure that sublists have preceding blank line
   return $ blankline $$
            (if isTightList items then vcat else vsep) contents $$
@@ -232,12 +231,17 @@ bulletListItemToOrg items = do
 -- | Convert ordered list item (a list of blocks) to Org.
 orderedListItemToOrg :: PandocMonad m
                      => Text   -- ^ marker for list item
+                     -> Maybe Int -- ^ maybe number for a counter cookie
                      -> [Block]  -- ^ list item (list of blocks)
                      -> Org m (Doc Text)
-orderedListItemToOrg marker items = do
+orderedListItemToOrg marker counter items = do
   exts <- gets $ writerExtensions . stOptions
   contents <- blockListToOrg (taskListItemToOrg exts items)
-  return $ hang (T.length marker + 1) (literal marker <> space) contents $$
+  let cookie = maybe empty
+               (\n -> space <> literal "[@" <> literal (tshow n) <> literal "]")
+               counter
+  return $ hang (T.length marker + 1)
+                (literal marker <> cookie <> space) contents $$
           if endsWithPlain items
              then cr
              else blankline
diff --git a/test/Tests/Writers/Org.hs b/test/Tests/Writers/Org.hs
index bd6c9b7ab..240bb27e8 100644
--- a/test/Tests/Writers/Org.hs
+++ b/test/Tests/Writers/Org.hs
@@ -50,6 +50,14 @@ tests =
           [ "1. [ ] a"
           , "2. [X] b"
           ]
+    , "ordered task list with starting number"
+      =: orderedListWith
+         (9, DefaultStyle, DefaultDelim)
+         [plain ("☐" <> space <> "a"), plain "☒ b"]
+      =?> T.unlines
+          [ "9. [@9] [ ] a"
+          , "10. [X] b"
+          ]
     , test (orgWithOpts def) "bullet without task_lists" $
       bulletList [plain "☐ a", plain "☒ b"]
       =?> T.unlines
diff --git a/test/writer.org b/test/writer.org
index 604aca21d..3a1fef604 100644
--- a/test/writer.org
+++ b/test/writer.org
@@ -278,13 +278,13 @@ Same thing but with paragraphs:
    :CUSTOM_ID: fancy-list-markers
    :END:
 
-2) begins with 2
+2) [@2] begins with 2
 
 3) and now 3
 
    with a continuation
 
-   4. sublist with roman numerals, starting with 4
+   4. [@4] sublist with roman numerals, starting with 4
    5. more items
 
       1) a subsublist
@@ -296,9 +296,9 @@ Nesting:
 
    1. Upper Roman.
 
-      6) Decimal start with 6
+      6) [@6] Decimal start with 6
 
-         3) Lower alpha with paren
+         3) [@3] Lower alpha with paren
 
 Autonumbering: