Merc wont replace if current merc died in zone

If my merc died in the current zone and i pick "replace" on a new merc, the merc will go to town (makes sense) but wont replace my current merc, so when entering the new zone, the previously dead merc will still be in my group and dead.

My expectation would be for the new merc to be selected as active and automatically join me in the next zone, so i dont have to go back to town to actively invite the new merc.