diff --git a/backend/open_webui/config.py b/backend/open_webui/config.py
index f99034a3c5..33de43b84f 100644
--- a/backend/open_webui/config.py
+++ b/backend/open_webui/config.py
@@ -1141,6 +1141,12 @@ DEFAULT_MODELS = PersistentConfig(
     "DEFAULT_MODELS", "ui.default_models", os.environ.get("DEFAULT_MODELS", None)
 )
 
+DEFAULT_PINNED_MODELS = PersistentConfig(
+    "DEFAULT_PINNED_MODELS",
+    "ui.default_pinned_models",
+    os.environ.get("DEFAULT_PINNED_MODELS", None),
+)
+
 try:
     default_prompt_suggestions = json.loads(
         os.environ.get("DEFAULT_PROMPT_SUGGESTIONS", "[]")
diff --git a/backend/open_webui/main.py b/backend/open_webui/main.py
index cd54dd25fc..e21dd5d1ed 100644
--- a/backend/open_webui/main.py
+++ b/backend/open_webui/main.py
@@ -373,6 +373,7 @@ from open_webui.config import (
     PENDING_USER_OVERLAY_TITLE,
     DEFAULT_PROMPT_SUGGESTIONS,
     DEFAULT_MODELS,
+    DEFAULT_PINNED_MODELS,
     DEFAULT_ARENA_MODEL,
     MODEL_ORDER_LIST,
     EVALUATION_ARENA_MODELS,
@@ -754,6 +755,10 @@ app.state.config.ADMIN_EMAIL = ADMIN_EMAIL
 
 
 app.state.config.DEFAULT_MODELS = DEFAULT_MODELS
+app.state.config.DEFAULT_PINNED_MODELS = DEFAULT_PINNED_MODELS
+app.state.config.MODEL_ORDER_LIST = MODEL_ORDER_LIST
+
+
 app.state.config.DEFAULT_PROMPT_SUGGESTIONS = DEFAULT_PROMPT_SUGGESTIONS
 app.state.config.DEFAULT_USER_ROLE = DEFAULT_USER_ROLE
 
@@ -765,7 +770,6 @@ app.state.config.RESPONSE_WATERMARK = RESPONSE_WATERMARK
 app.state.config.USER_PERMISSIONS = USER_PERMISSIONS
 app.state.config.WEBHOOK_URL = WEBHOOK_URL
 app.state.config.BANNERS = WEBUI_BANNERS
-app.state.config.MODEL_ORDER_LIST = MODEL_ORDER_LIST
 
 
 app.state.config.ENABLE_CHANNELS = ENABLE_CHANNELS
@@ -1877,6 +1881,7 @@ async def get_app_config(request: Request):
         **(
             {
                 "default_models": app.state.config.DEFAULT_MODELS,
+                "default_pinned_models": app.state.config.DEFAULT_PINNED_MODELS,
                 "default_prompt_suggestions": app.state.config.DEFAULT_PROMPT_SUGGESTIONS,
                 "user_count": user_count,
                 "code": {
diff --git a/backend/open_webui/routers/configs.py b/backend/open_webui/routers/configs.py
index 0e88b7a929..0eb88e767e 100644
--- a/backend/open_webui/routers/configs.py
+++ b/backend/open_webui/routers/configs.py
@@ -463,6 +463,7 @@ async def set_code_execution_config(
 ############################
 class ModelsConfigForm(BaseModel):
     DEFAULT_MODELS: Optional[str]
+    DEFAULT_PINNED_MODELS: Optional[str]
     MODEL_ORDER_LIST: Optional[list[str]]
 
 
@@ -470,6 +471,7 @@ class ModelsConfigForm(BaseModel):
 async def get_models_config(request: Request, user=Depends(get_admin_user)):
     return {
         "DEFAULT_MODELS": request.app.state.config.DEFAULT_MODELS,
+        "DEFAULT_PINNED_MODELS": request.app.state.config.DEFAULT_PINNED_MODELS,
         "MODEL_ORDER_LIST": request.app.state.config.MODEL_ORDER_LIST,
     }
 
@@ -479,9 +481,11 @@ async def set_models_config(
     request: Request, form_data: ModelsConfigForm, user=Depends(get_admin_user)
 ):
     request.app.state.config.DEFAULT_MODELS = form_data.DEFAULT_MODELS
+    request.app.state.config.DEFAULT_PINNED_MODELS = form_data.DEFAULT_PINNED_MODELS
     request.app.state.config.MODEL_ORDER_LIST = form_data.MODEL_ORDER_LIST
     return {
         "DEFAULT_MODELS": request.app.state.config.DEFAULT_MODELS,
+        "DEFAULT_PINNED_MODELS": request.app.state.config.DEFAULT_PINNED_MODELS,
         "MODEL_ORDER_LIST": request.app.state.config.MODEL_ORDER_LIST,
     }
 
diff --git a/src/lib/components/admin/Settings/Models.svelte b/src/lib/components/admin/Settings/Models.svelte
index 0200ed2e68..2f559905fc 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/admin/Settings/Models.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/admin/Settings/Models.svelte
@@ -250,9 +250,8 @@
 	{#if selectedModelId === null}
 		<div class="flex flex-col gap-1 mt-1.5 mb-2">
 			<div class="flex justify-between items-center">
-				<div class="flex items-center md:self-center text-xl font-medium px-0.5">
+				<div class="flex items-center md:self-center text-xl font-medium px-0.5 gap-2">
 					{$i18n.t('Models')}
-					<div class="flex self-center w-[1px] h-6 mx-2.5 bg-gray-50 dark:bg-gray-850" />
 					<span class="text-lg font-medium text-gray-500 dark:text-gray-300"
 						>{filteredModels.length}</span
 					>
diff --git a/src/lib/components/admin/Settings/Models/ConfigureModelsModal.svelte b/src/lib/components/admin/Settings/Models/ConfigureModelsModal.svelte
index 5b2c592054..a48335a8de 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/admin/Settings/Models/ConfigureModelsModal.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/admin/Settings/Models/ConfigureModelsModal.svelte
@@ -7,18 +7,20 @@
 
 	import { models } from '$lib/stores';
 	import { deleteAllModels } from '$lib/apis/models';
+	import { getModelsConfig, setModelsConfig } from '$lib/apis/configs';
 
 	import Modal from '$lib/components/common/Modal.svelte';
 	import ConfirmDialog from '$lib/components/common/ConfirmDialog.svelte';
 	import Tooltip from '$lib/components/common/Tooltip.svelte';
 	import ModelList from './ModelList.svelte';
-	import { getModelsConfig, setModelsConfig } from '$lib/apis/configs';
 	import Spinner from '$lib/components/common/Spinner.svelte';
 	import Minus from '$lib/components/icons/Minus.svelte';
 	import Plus from '$lib/components/icons/Plus.svelte';
 	import ChevronUp from '$lib/components/icons/ChevronUp.svelte';
 	import ChevronDown from '$lib/components/icons/ChevronDown.svelte';
 	import XMark from '$lib/components/icons/XMark.svelte';
+	import ModelSelector from './ModelSelector.svelte';
+	import Model from '../Evaluations/Model.svelte';
 
 	export let show = false;
 	export let initHandler = () => {};
@@ -27,6 +29,10 @@
 
 	let selectedModelId = '';
 	let defaultModelIds = [];
+
+	let selectedPinnedModelId = '';
+	let defaultPinnedModelIds = [];
+
 	let modelIds = [];
 
 	let sortKey = '';
@@ -38,25 +44,6 @@
 	$: if (show) {
 		init();
 	}
-
-	$: if (selectedModelId) {
-		onModelSelect();
-	}
-
-	const onModelSelect = () => {
-		if (selectedModelId === '') {
-			return;
-		}
-
-		if (defaultModelIds.includes(selectedModelId)) {
-			selectedModelId = '';
-			return;
-		}
-
-		defaultModelIds = [...defaultModelIds, selectedModelId];
-		selectedModelId = '';
-	};
-
 	const init = async () => {
 		config = await getModelsConfig(localStorage.token);
 
@@ -65,6 +52,13 @@
 		} else {
 			defaultModelIds = [];
 		}
+
+		if (config?.DEFAULT_PINNED_MODELS) {
+			defaultPinnedModelIds = (config?.DEFAULT_PINNED_MODELS).split(',').filter((id) => id);
+		} else {
+			defaultPinnedModelIds = [];
+		}
+
 		const modelOrderList = config.MODEL_ORDER_LIST || [];
 		const allModelIds = $models.map((model) => model.id);
 
@@ -86,6 +80,7 @@
 
 		const res = await setModelsConfig(localStorage.token, {
 			DEFAULT_MODELS: defaultModelIds.join(','),
+			DEFAULT_PINNED_MODELS: defaultPinnedModelIds.join(','),
 			MODEL_ORDER_LIST: modelIds
 		});
 
@@ -191,59 +186,19 @@
 
 						<hr class=" border-gray-100 dark:border-gray-700/10 my-2.5 w-full" />
 
-						<div>
-							<div class="flex flex-col w-full">
-								<div class="mb-1 flex justify-between">
-									<div class="text-xs text-gray-500">{$i18n.t('Default Models')}</div>
-								</div>
+						<ModelSelector
+							title={$i18n.t('Default Models')}
+							models={$models}
+							bind:modelIds={defaultModelIds}
+						/>
 
-								<div class="flex items-center -mr-1">
-									<select
-										class="w-full py-1 text-sm rounded-lg bg-transparent {selectedModelId
-											? ''
-											: 'text-gray-500'} placeholder:text-gray-300 dark:placeholder:text-gray-700 outline-hidden"
-										bind:value={selectedModelId}
-									>
-										<option value="">{$i18n.t('Select a model')}</option>
-										{#each $models as model}
-											<option value={model.id} class="bg-gray-50 dark:bg-gray-700"
-												>{model.name}</option
-											>
-										{/each}
-									</select>
-								</div>
+						<hr class=" border-gray-100 dark:border-gray-700/10 my-2.5 w-full" />
 
-								<!-- <hr class=" border-gray-100 dark:border-gray-700/10 my-2.5 w-full" /> -->
-
-								{#if defaultModelIds.length > 0}
-									<div class="flex flex-col">
-										{#each defaultModelIds as modelId, modelIdx}
-											<div class=" flex gap-2 w-full justify-between items-center">
-												<div class=" text-sm flex-1 py-1 rounded-lg">
-													{$models.find((model) => model.id === modelId)?.name}
-												</div>
-												<div class="shrink-0">
-													<button
-														type="button"
-														on:click={() => {
-															defaultModelIds = defaultModelIds.filter(
-																(_, idx) => idx !== modelIdx
-															);
-														}}
-													>
-														<Minus strokeWidth="2" className="size-3.5" />
-													</button>
-												</div>
-											</div>
-										{/each}
-									</div>
-								{:else}
-									<div class="text-gray-500 text-xs text-center py-2">
-										{$i18n.t('No models selected')}
-									</div>
-								{/if}
-							</div>
-						</div>
+						<ModelSelector
+							title={$i18n.t('Default Pinned Models')}
+							models={$models}
+							bind:modelIds={defaultPinnedModelIds}
+						/>
 
 						<div class="flex justify-between pt-3 text-sm font-medium gap-1.5">
 							<Tooltip content={$i18n.t('This will delete all models including custom models')}>
diff --git a/src/lib/components/admin/Settings/Models/ModelSelector.svelte b/src/lib/components/admin/Settings/Models/ModelSelector.svelte
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6af182453d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/components/admin/Settings/Models/ModelSelector.svelte
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+<script lang="ts">
+	import { getContext } from 'svelte';
+	const i18n = getContext('i18n');
+
+	import Minus from '$lib/components/icons/Minus.svelte';
+
+	export let title = '';
+	export let models = [];
+	export let modelIds = [];
+
+	let selectedModelId = '';
+</script>
+
+<div>
+	<div class="flex flex-col w-full">
+		<div class="mb-1 flex justify-between">
+			<div class="text-xs text-gray-500">{title}</div>
+		</div>
+
+		<div class="flex items-center -mr-1">
+			<select
+				class="w-full py-1 text-sm rounded-lg bg-transparent {selectedModelId
+					? ''
+					: 'text-gray-500'} placeholder:text-gray-300 dark:placeholder:text-gray-700 outline-hidden"
+				bind:value={selectedModelId}
+				on:change={() => {
+					if (selectedModelId && !modelIds.includes(selectedModelId)) {
+						modelIds = [...modelIds, selectedModelId];
+					}
+					selectedModelId = '';
+				}}
+			>
+				<option value="">{$i18n.t('Select a model')}</option>
+				{#each models as model}
+					{#if !modelIds.includes(model.id)}
+						<option value={model.id} class="bg-gray-50 dark:bg-gray-700">{model.name}</option>
+					{/if}
+				{/each}
+			</select>
+		</div>
+
+		<!-- <hr class=" border-gray-100 dark:border-gray-700/10 my-2.5 w-full" /> -->
+
+		{#if modelIds.length > 0}
+			<div class="flex flex-col">
+				{#each modelIds as modelId, modelIdx}
+					<div class=" flex gap-2 w-full justify-between items-center">
+						<div class=" text-sm flex-1 py-1 rounded-lg">
+							{models.find((model) => model.id === modelId)?.name}
+						</div>
+						<div class="shrink-0">
+							<button
+								type="button"
+								on:click={() => {
+									modelIds = modelIds.filter((_, idx) => idx !== modelIdx);
+								}}
+							>
+								<Minus strokeWidth="2" className="size-3.5" />
+							</button>
+						</div>
+					</div>
+				{/each}
+			</div>
+		{:else}
+			<div class="text-gray-500 text-xs text-center py-2">
+				{$i18n.t('No models selected')}
+			</div>
+		{/if}
+	</div>
+</div>
diff --git a/src/lib/components/layout/Sidebar.svelte b/src/lib/components/layout/Sidebar.svelte
index 0d94856451..bdd59584d6 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/layout/Sidebar.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/layout/Sidebar.svelte
@@ -887,7 +887,7 @@
 					{/if}
 				</div>
 
-				{#if ($models ?? []).length > 0 && ($settings?.pinnedModels ?? []).length > 0}
+				{#if ($models ?? []).length > 0 && (($settings?.pinnedModels ?? []).length > 0 || $config?.default_pinned_models)}
 					<Folder
 						id="sidebar-models"
 						className="px-2 mt-0.5"
diff --git a/src/lib/components/layout/Sidebar/PinnedModelItem.svelte b/src/lib/components/layout/Sidebar/PinnedModelItem.svelte
index 86f176c7a3..308166617e 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/layout/Sidebar/PinnedModelItem.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/layout/Sidebar/PinnedModelItem.svelte
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
 			</div>
 		</a>
 
-		{#if mouseOver && shiftKey}
+		{#if mouseOver && shiftKey && onUnpin}
 			<div class="absolute right-5 top-2.5">
 				<div class=" flex items-center self-center space-x-1.5">
 					<Tooltip content={$i18n.t('Unpin')} className="flex items-center">
diff --git a/src/lib/components/layout/Sidebar/PinnedModelList.svelte b/src/lib/components/layout/Sidebar/PinnedModelList.svelte
index 298a0da4a4..da35a3df3d 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/layout/Sidebar/PinnedModelList.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/layout/Sidebar/PinnedModelList.svelte
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 <script>
 	import Sortable from 'sortablejs';
 
-	import { onMount } from 'svelte';
+	import { onDestroy, onMount, tick } from 'svelte';
 
-	import { chatId, mobile, models, settings, showSidebar } from '$lib/stores';
+	import { chatId, config, mobile, models, settings, showSidebar } from '$lib/stores';
 	import { WEBUI_BASE_URL } from '$lib/constants';
 	import { updateUserSettings } from '$lib/apis/users';
 	import PinnedModelItem from './PinnedModelItem.svelte';
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@
 	export let selectedChatId = null;
 	export let shiftKey = false;
 
+	let pinnedModels = [];
+
 	const initPinnedModelsSortable = () => {
 		const pinnedModelsList = document.getElementById('pinned-models-list');
 		if (pinnedModelsList && !$mobile) {
@@ -33,13 +35,36 @@
 		}
 	};
 
-	onMount(() => {
+	let unsubscribeSettings;
+
+	onMount(async () => {
+		pinnedModels = $settings?.pinnedModels ?? [];
+
+		if (pinnedModels.length === 0 && $config?.default_pinned_models) {
+			const defaultPinnedModels = ($config?.default_pinned_models).split(',').filter((id) => id);
+			pinnedModels = defaultPinnedModels.filter((id) => $models.find((model) => model.id === id));
+
+			settings.set({ ...$settings, pinnedModels });
+			await updateUserSettings(localStorage.token, { ui: $settings });
+		}
+
+		unsubscribeSettings = settings.subscribe((value) => {
+			pinnedModels = value?.pinnedModels ?? [];
+		});
+
+		await tick();
 		initPinnedModelsSortable();
 	});
+
+	onDestroy(() => {
+		if (unsubscribeSettings) {
+			unsubscribeSettings();
+		}
+	});
 </script>
 
 <div class="mt-0.5 pb-1.5" id="pinned-models-list">
-	{#each $settings.pinnedModels as modelId (modelId)}
+	{#each pinnedModels as modelId (modelId)}
 		{@const model = $models.find((model) => model.id === modelId)}
 		{#if model}
 			<PinnedModelItem
@@ -52,11 +77,13 @@
 						showSidebar.set(false);
 					}
 				}}
-				onUnpin={() => {
-					const pinnedModels = $settings.pinnedModels.filter((id) => id !== modelId);
-					settings.set({ ...$settings, pinnedModels });
-					updateUserSettings(localStorage.token, { ui: $settings });
-				}}
+				onUnpin={($settings?.pinnedModels ?? []).includes(modelId)
+					? () => {
+							const pinnedModels = $settings.pinnedModels.filter((id) => id !== modelId);
+							settings.set({ ...$settings, pinnedModels });
+							updateUserSettings(localStorage.token, { ui: $settings });
+						}
+					: null}
 			/>
 		{/if}
 	{/each}