diff --git a/ultralytics/engine/model.py b/ultralytics/engine/model.py
index 4ff1c039ae..4defd83404 100644
--- a/ultralytics/engine/model.py
+++ b/ultralytics/engine/model.py
@@ -534,7 +534,7 @@ class Model(torch.nn.Module):
             x in ARGV for x in ("predict", "track", "mode=predict", "mode=track")
         )
 
-        custom = {"conf": 0.25, "batch": 1, "save": is_cli, "mode": "predict"}  # method defaults
+        custom = {"conf": 0.25, "batch": 1, "save": is_cli, "mode": "predict", "rect": True}  # method defaults
         args = {**self.overrides, **custom, **kwargs}  # highest priority args on the right
         prompts = args.pop("prompts", None)  # for SAM-type models
 
diff --git a/ultralytics/engine/predictor.py b/ultralytics/engine/predictor.py
index a095825da6..efa59031a0 100644
--- a/ultralytics/engine/predictor.py
+++ b/ultralytics/engine/predictor.py
@@ -183,7 +183,9 @@ class BasePredictor:
         same_shapes = len({x.shape for x in im}) == 1
         letterbox = LetterBox(
             self.imgsz,
-            auto=same_shapes and (self.model.pt or (getattr(self.model, "dynamic", False) and not self.model.imx)),
+            auto=same_shapes
+            and self.args.rect
+            and (self.model.pt or (getattr(self.model, "dynamic", False) and not self.model.imx)),
             stride=self.model.stride,
         )
         return [letterbox(image=x) for x in im]