Significance: Optical ultrasound (OpUS) imaging, in which ultrasound is generated and received optically, is well suited to guiding minimally procedures. 2D images can be synthesized by translation of an OpUS probe within the body. If the probe positions are not known precisely, spatial distortions in the images may occur. Fibre-optic shape sensors offer the possibility to reduce distortions by providing real-time probe positions in an all-optical, miniaturized device.Aim: We aimed to correct 2D OpUS images acquired with a forward-looking OpUS probe during scanning at non-uniform speeds, using tip position data from a fibre-optic shape sensor.Approach: An OpUS probe was combined with a fibre-optic shape sensor to allow for real-time acquisition of both ultrasound depth scans and probe tip positions, as the probe was scanned at varying speed across a wire grille imaging phantom. The resulting distorted OpUS images were corrected using the shape sensor position data.Results: The corrected images corresponded well to the true positions of the wires in the phantom, and distortions in the raw images caused by pauses and varying speeds of the probe movement were largely removed.Conclusions: Fibre-optic shape sensing is a promising modality for reducing distortions during 2D OpUS images acquired by translating single-element optical transducers.