diff --git a/model_utils/__init__.py b/model_utils/__init__.py
index 18991e7..4b39185 100644
--- a/model_utils/__init__.py
+++ b/model_utils/__init__.py
@@ -20,14 +20,32 @@ class ChoiceEnum(object):
     >>> tuple(STATUS)
     ((0, 'DRAFT'), (1, 'PUBLISHED'))
     
+    >>> STATUS = ChoiceEnum(('DRAFT', 'draft'), ('PUBLISHED', 'published'))
+    >>> STATUS.DRAFT
+    0
+    >>> tuple(STATUS)
+    ((0, 'draft'), (1, 'published'))
+
     """
+
     def __init__(self, *choices):
-        self._choices = tuple(enumerate(choices))
+        self._choices = tuple()
+        self._iter_choices = tuple()
+        for i, choice in enumerate(self.equalize(choices)):
+            self._choices += ((i, choice[0]),)
+            self._iter_choices += ((i, choice[1]),)
         self._choice_dict = dict(self._choices)
         self._reverse_dict = dict(((i[1], i[0]) for i in self._choices))
 
+    def equalize(self, choices):
+        for choice in choices:
+            if isinstance(choice, (list, tuple)):
+                yield choice
+            else:
+                yield (choice, choice)
+
     def __iter__(self):
-        return iter(self._choices)
+        return iter(self._iter_choices)
 
     def __getattr__(self, attname):
         try:
diff --git a/model_utils/tests/tests.py b/model_utils/tests/tests.py
index 59d81f6..98f093c 100644
--- a/model_utils/tests/tests.py
+++ b/model_utils/tests/tests.py
@@ -88,6 +88,18 @@ class ChoiceEnumTests(TestCase):
         self.assertEquals(tuple(self.STATUS), ((0, 'DRAFT'), (1, 'PUBLISHED')))
 
 
+class LabelChoiceEnumTests(ChoiceEnumTests):
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.STATUS = ChoiceEnum(
+            ('DRAFT', 'draft'),
+            ('PUBLISHED', 'published'),
+            'DELETED',
+        )
+
+    def test_iteration(self):
+        self.assertEquals(tuple(self.STATUS), ((0, 'draft'), (1, 'published'), (2, 'DELETED')))
+
+
 class InheritanceCastModelTests(TestCase):
     def setUp(self):
         self.parent = InheritParent.objects.create()