diff --git a/src/pwo/maybe.py b/src/pwo/maybe.py
index f0d00d6..4f44e90 100644
--- a/src/pwo/maybe.py
+++ b/src/pwo/maybe.py
@@ -52,6 +52,8 @@ class Maybe(Generic[T]):
     def flat_map(self, transformer: Callable[[T], Maybe[U]]) -> Maybe[U]:
         return transformer(self.value) if self.is_present else Maybe.empty()
 
+    def __or__(self, alt: Maybe[T]) -> Maybe[T]:
+        return self if self.is_present else alt
     def or_else(self, alt: T) -> T:
         return self.value if self.is_present else alt