diff --git a/ultraplot/axes/plot.py b/ultraplot/axes/plot.py
index 7aacaaa27..7347a33d9 100644
--- a/ultraplot/axes/plot.py
+++ b/ultraplot/axes/plot.py
@@ -3497,6 +3497,8 @@ def _fix_sticky_edges(self, objs, axis, *args, only=None):
         Fix sticky edges for the input artists using the minimum and maximum of the
         input coordinates. This is used to copy `bar` behavior to `area` and `lines`.
         """
+        if not rc["plot.sticky"]:
+            return
         for array in args:
             min_, max_ = inputs._safe_range(array)
             if min_ is None or max_ is None:
diff --git a/ultraplot/internals/rcsetup.py b/ultraplot/internals/rcsetup.py
index 3b94e8ec0..969f6649b 100644
--- a/ultraplot/internals/rcsetup.py
+++ b/ultraplot/internals/rcsetup.py
@@ -1050,6 +1050,12 @@ def _validator_accepts(validator, value):
         _validate_float,
         "Vertical margin around ribbon diagrams (axes-relative units).",
     ),
+    # Plot settings
+    "plot.sticky": (
+        True,
+        _validate_bool,
+        "Whether to use sticky edges for line and area plots by default.",
+    ),
     "ribbon.rowheightratio": (
         2.2,
         _validate_float,