[GH-ISSUE #16531] issue: Default RAG prompt is injected even when disabled/overridden #72550

New Issue

GiteaMirror · 2026-05-13T04:37:30-05:00

GiteaMirror commented

2026-05-13 04:37:30 -05:00

Originally created by @Szadam88 on GitHub (Aug 12, 2025).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui/issues/16531

Check Existing Issues

I have searched the existing issues and discussions.
I am using the latest version of Open WebUI.

Installation Method

Docker

Open WebUI Version

6.2

Ollama Version (if applicable)

No response

Operating System

Alpine linux

Browser (if applicable)

non-relevant

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

If the RAG template is blank/disabled, no RAG text should be added to the system prompt—regardless of tools/attachments/KB state.

Actual Behavior

Output:

Steps to Reproduce

Steps to reproduce
Start Open WebUI via Docker.

In the UI, set a very simple/empty RAG prompt (e.g., just "emptyEmptyEmptyEmptyEmptyEmpty" or blank).

Start a new chat (fresh session), optionally enable a tool/KB or attach a file. in my scenario i noticed that at n8n side:
I have configured n8n pipeline

Logs & Screenshots

System prompt:

Rag template:

Additional Information

Proposed Fixes
Provide a single authoritative switch (env + UI) like OPENWEBUI_DISABLE_RAG=true that guarantees no RAG injection in any code path.

Centralize prompt composition to one function that respects the disable flag and empty template.

Ensure user/workspace settings override defaults consistently and avoid rehydrating defaults from persistence when empty/disabled.

Originally created by @Szadam88 on GitHub (Aug 12, 2025). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui/issues/16531 ### Check Existing Issues - [x] I have searched the existing issues and discussions. - [x] I am using the latest version of Open WebUI. ### Installation Method Docker ### Open WebUI Version 6.2 ### Ollama Version (if applicable) _No response_ ### Operating System Alpine linux ### Browser (if applicable) non-relevant ### 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 If the RAG template is blank/disabled, no RAG text should be added to the system prompt—regardless of tools/attachments/KB state. ### Actual Behavior Output: <img width="388" height="482" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/ee894a5e-7790-47a5-b98a-9a8b67907654" /> ### Steps to Reproduce Steps to reproduce Start Open WebUI via Docker. In the UI, set a very simple/empty RAG prompt (e.g., just "emptyEmptyEmptyEmptyEmptyEmpty" or blank). Start a new chat (fresh session), optionally enable a tool/KB or attach a file. in my scenario i noticed that at n8n side: I have configured n8n pipeline ### Logs & Screenshots **System prompt:** <img width="319" height="68" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/211c8786-b7af-49af-95a6-619b40ef7daa" /> **Rag template:** <img width="429" height="84" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/fa58f8f0-0f04-4edf-9671-2bd7172feb8b" /> ### Additional Information **Proposed Fixes** Provide a single authoritative switch (env + UI) like OPENWEBUI_DISABLE_RAG=true that guarantees no RAG injection in any code path. Centralize prompt composition to one function that respects the disable flag and empty template. Ensure user/workspace settings override defaults consistently and avoid rehydrating defaults from persistence when empty/disabled.

GiteaMirror added the bug label 2026-05-13 04:37:30 -05:00

GiteaMirror closed this issue

2026-05-13 04:37:31 -05:00

GiteaMirror commented

2026-05-13 04:37:32 -05:00

@tjbck commented on GitHub (Aug 12, 2025):

Above is tag generation.

@tjbck commented on GitHub (Aug 12, 2025): Above is tag generation.

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Reference: github-starred/open-webui#72550