diff --git a/lib/credo/check.ex b/lib/credo/check.ex
index 846a84f92..d53312943 100644
--- a/lib/credo/check.ex
+++ b/lib/credo/check.ex
@@ -691,14 +691,13 @@ defmodule Credo.Check do
   - `:column`       Sets the issue's column.
   - `:exit_status`  Sets the issue's exit_status.
   - `:severity`     Sets the issue's severity.
+  - `:category`     Sets the issue's category.
   """
   def format_issue(issue_meta, opts, check) do
     source_file = IssueMeta.source_file(issue_meta)
     params = IssueMeta.params(issue_meta)
-    issue_category = Params.category(params, check)
-    issue_base_priority = Params.priority(params, check)
-
-    priority = Priority.to_integer(issue_base_priority)
+    issue_category = opts[:category] || Params.category(params, check)
+    priority = params |> Params.priority(check) |> Priority.to_integer()
 
     exit_status_or_category =
       opts[:exit_status] || Params.exit_status(params, check) || issue_category
diff --git a/test/credo/check_test.exs b/test/credo/check_test.exs
index 6d82ca688..e711ccc05 100644
--- a/test/credo/check_test.exs
+++ b/test/credo/check_test.exs
@@ -66,7 +66,8 @@ defmodule Credo.CheckTest do
           line_no: 3,
           column: 15,
           exit_status: 23,
-          severity: 11
+          severity: 11,
+          category: :custom_category
         )
       ]
     end
@@ -89,6 +90,7 @@ defmodule Credo.CheckTest do
       assert issue.column == 15
       assert issue.exit_status == 23
       assert issue.severity == 11
+      assert issue.category == :custom_category
     end)
   end
 end