diff --git a/quimb/tensor/tensor_3d.py b/quimb/tensor/tensor_3d.py
index 8bc9a800..8f2f011f 100644
--- a/quimb/tensor/tensor_3d.py
+++ b/quimb/tensor/tensor_3d.py
@@ -1491,7 +1491,7 @@ def contract_ctmrg(
         lazy=False,
         mode="projector",
         compress_opts=None,
-        sequence=("xmin", "xmax", "ymin", "ymax", "zmin", "zmax"),
+        sequence=None,
         xmin=None,
         xmax=None,
         ymin=None,
@@ -1518,6 +1518,23 @@ def contract_ctmrg(
             # we are implicitly asking for the tensor network
             final_contract = False
 
+        if sequence is None:
+            sequence = []
+            if self.is_cyclic_x():
+                sequence.append("xmin")
+            else:
+                sequence.extend(["xmin", "xmax"])
+
+            if self.is_cyclic_y():
+                sequence.append("ymin")
+            else:
+                sequence.extend(["ymin", "ymax"])
+
+            if self.is_cyclic_z():
+                sequence.append("zmin")
+            else:
+                sequence.extend(["zmin", "zmax"])
+
         return self._contract_interleaved_boundary_sequence(
             contract_boundary_opts=contract_boundary_opts,
             canonize=canonize,