In a parallel or SENSE imaging technique in an MRI system (40), a calibration scan is conducted to generate a calibration image (86) indicative of sensitivity profiles of parallel imaging coils (76a, . . . , 76n) also in the regions where the magnetic field is distorted. This is accomplished by using a phase refocusing imaging protocol such as a spin echo technique, or by using a gradient echo technique where the echo time is very short. In addition, the phase encode direction of the calibration scan and a diagnostic imaging scan shall be matched. A diagnostic imaging scan is conducted using a diagnostic scan protocol to generate a diagnostic image representation from each parallel imaging coil. A SENSE processor (90) reconstructs a final diagnostic image (92) from the diagnostic image representations and the coil sensitivity profiles.