diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 3e5d9fb8673e6..e7800ed0bcb25 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 
 - [plugin] added support for `isTransient` of `TerminalOptions` and `ExternalTerminalOptions` VS Code API [#12055](https://github.com/eclipse-theia/theia/pull/12055) - Contributed on behalf of STMicroelectronics
 - [terminal] added support for preference `terminal.integrated.enablePersistentSessions` to allow disabling restoring terminals on reload [#12055](https://github.com/eclipse-theia/theia/pull/12055) - Contributed on behalf of STMicroelectronics
+- [variable-resolver] fixed evaluations of `pickString` variables [#12100](https://github.com/eclipse-theia/theia/pull/12100) - Contributed on behalf of STMicroelectronics
 
 <a name="breaking_changes_1.34.0">[Breaking Changes:](#breaking_changes_1.34.0)</a>
 
diff --git a/packages/variable-resolver/src/browser/common-variable-contribution.ts b/packages/variable-resolver/src/browser/common-variable-contribution.ts
index 593ea18d3eb44..ffa7bb4c5b082 100644
--- a/packages/variable-resolver/src/browser/common-variable-contribution.ts
+++ b/packages/variable-resolver/src/browser/common-variable-contribution.ts
@@ -135,7 +135,8 @@ export class CommonVariableContribution implements VariableContribution {
                             });
                         }
                     }
-                    return this.quickInputService?.showQuickPick(elements, { placeholder: input.description });
+                    const selectedPick = await this.quickInputService?.showQuickPick(elements, { placeholder: input.description });
+                    return selectedPick?.value;
                 }
                 if (input.type === 'command') {
                     if (typeof input.command !== 'string') {