We propose an automatic spatial frequency selection correlation filter that reduces the sensitivity to nonoverlapping noise or background clutter. This is achieved by inclusion of distorted versions of the reference images surrounded by nonoverlapping background clutter. Furthermore, we impose that the window functions of the reference images give response zero-correlation amplitudes. Simulation results are provided in the case of a two-class pattern-recognition problem and show that the results are appreciably increased. The results are compared with a normal automatic spatial frequency selection.