[GH-ISSUE #19078] issue: Inconsistent default system prompt loading #34293

Closed
opened 2026-04-25 08:13:47 -05:00 by GiteaMirror · 2 comments
Owner

Originally created by @abcbarryn on GitHub (Nov 10, 2025).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui/issues/19078

Check Existing Issues

  • I have searched for any existing and/or related issues.
  • I have searched for any existing and/or related discussions.
  • I have also searched in the CLOSED issues AND CLOSED discussions and found no related items (your issue might already be addressed on the development branch!).
  • I am using the latest version of Open WebUI.

Installation Method

Pip Install

Open WebUI Version

0.6.34

Ollama Version (if applicable)

0.12.9

Operating System

SuSE Linux

Browser (if applicable)

Edge, Chrome, other...

Confirmation

  • I have read and followed all instructions in README.md.
  • I am using the latest version of both Open WebUI and Ollama.
  • I have included the browser console logs.
  • I have included the Docker container logs.
  • I have provided every relevant configuration, setting, and environment variable used in my setup.
  • I have clearly listed every relevant configuration, custom setting, environment variable, and command-line option that influences my setup (such as Docker Compose overrides, .env values, browser settings, authentication configurations, etc).
  • I have documented step-by-step reproduction instructions that are precise, sequential, and leave nothing to interpretation. My steps:
  • Start with the initial platform/version/OS and dependencies used,
  • Specify exact install/launch/configure commands,
  • List URLs visited, user input (incl. example values/emails/passwords if needed),
  • Describe all options and toggles enabled or changed,
  • Include any files or environmental changes,
  • Identify the expected and actual result at each stage,
  • Ensure any reasonably skilled user can follow and hit the same issue.

Expected Behavior

Title
Default system prompt not loaded when WebUI system prompt field is blank

Expected behavior
The default system prompt should be applied consistently, regardless of whether the model already has a workspace entry.

Actual Behavior

Observed behavior

  • When the WebUI system prompt field is blank and the selected model has a workspace entry, the default system prompt is skipped.
  • When the model has no workspace entry, the default system prompt is loaded.

Steps to Reproduce

Reproduction steps

  1. Launch the WebUI and log in.
  2. Leave the System Prompt field in the WebUI UI empty.
  3. Open the “Model” dropdown and select a model that does not yet have a workspace entry.
  4. Observe that the model’s default system prompt is automatically loaded.
  5. Now select a model that does have an entry on the workspace screen but the system prompt field on the workspace screen is empty.
  6. Observe that the default system prompt is not loaded.

Logs & Screenshots

No error message or applicable log.

Additional Information

Environment

  • WebUI version: 0.6.34
  • Python: 3.11
  • OS / Browser: Windows 11 22H2 / Chrome 118
Originally created by @abcbarryn on GitHub (Nov 10, 2025). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui/issues/19078 ### Check Existing Issues - [x] I have searched for any existing and/or related issues. - [x] I have searched for any existing and/or related discussions. - [x] I have also searched in the CLOSED issues AND CLOSED discussions and found no related items (your issue might already be addressed on the development branch!). - [x] I am using the latest version of Open WebUI. ### Installation Method Pip Install ### Open WebUI Version 0.6.34 ### Ollama Version (if applicable) 0.12.9 ### Operating System SuSE Linux ### Browser (if applicable) Edge, Chrome, other... ### Confirmation - [x] I have read and followed all instructions in `README.md`. - [x] I am using the latest version of **both** Open WebUI and Ollama. - [x] I have included the browser console logs. - [x] I have included the Docker container logs. - [x] I have **provided every relevant configuration, setting, and environment variable used in my setup.** - [x] I have clearly **listed every relevant configuration, custom setting, environment variable, and command-line option that influences my setup** (such as Docker Compose overrides, .env values, browser settings, authentication configurations, etc). - [x] I have documented **step-by-step reproduction instructions that are precise, sequential, and leave nothing to interpretation**. My steps: - Start with the initial platform/version/OS and dependencies used, - Specify exact install/launch/configure commands, - List URLs visited, user input (incl. example values/emails/passwords if needed), - Describe all options and toggles enabled or changed, - Include any files or environmental changes, - Identify the expected and actual result at each stage, - Ensure any reasonably skilled user can follow and hit the same issue. ### Expected Behavior **Title** Default system prompt not loaded when WebUI system prompt field is blank **Expected behavior** The default system prompt should be applied consistently, regardless of whether the model already has a workspace entry. ### Actual Behavior **Observed behavior** - When the WebUI system prompt field is blank **and** the selected model has a workspace entry, the default system prompt is skipped. - When the model has no workspace entry, the default system prompt is loaded. ### Steps to Reproduce **Reproduction steps** 1. Launch the WebUI and log in. 2. Leave the **System Prompt** field in the WebUI UI **empty**. 3. Open the “Model” dropdown and select a model that **does not** yet have a workspace entry. 4. Observe that the model’s default system prompt is automatically loaded. 5. Now select a model that **does** have an entry on the workspace screen but the system prompt field on the workspace screen is empty. 6. Observe that the default system prompt is **not** loaded. ### Logs & Screenshots No error message or applicable log. ### Additional Information **Environment** - WebUI version: 0.6.34 - Python: 3.11 - OS / Browser: Windows 11 22H2 / Chrome 118
GiteaMirror added the bug label 2026-04-25 08:13:47 -05:00
Author
Owner

@tjbck commented on GitHub (Nov 11, 2025):

If the model system prompt is specified from Ollama, nothing can be done from Open WebUI.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3515029144 --> @tjbck commented on GitHub (Nov 11, 2025): If the model system prompt is specified from Ollama, nothing can be done from Open WebUI.
Author
Owner

@abcbarryn commented on GitHub (Nov 12, 2025):

tjbck, did you even READ the issue? The problem is that something IS being done in WebUI when it SHOULDN'T be!

<!-- gh-comment-id:3519803448 --> @abcbarryn commented on GitHub (Nov 12, 2025): [tjbck](https://github.com/tjbck), did you even READ the issue? The problem is that something IS being done in WebUI when it SHOULDN'T be!
Sign in to join this conversation.
1 Participants
Notifications
Due Date
No due date set.
Dependencies

No dependencies set.

Reference: github-starred/open-webui#34293