diff --git a/itest/lnd_max_htlcs_test.go b/itest/lnd_max_htlcs_test.go
index a9bee5ae4..971537adf 100644
--- a/itest/lnd_max_htlcs_test.go
+++ b/itest/lnd_max_htlcs_test.go
@@ -20,6 +20,17 @@ func testMaxHtlcPathfind(ht *lntest.HarnessTest) {
 	maxHtlcs := 5
 
 	alice, bob := ht.Alice, ht.Bob
+
+	// Restart nodes with the new flag so they understand the new payment
+	// status.
+	ht.RestartNodeWithExtraArgs(alice, []string{
+		"--routerrpc.usestatusinitiated",
+	})
+	ht.RestartNodeWithExtraArgs(bob, []string{
+		"--routerrpc.usestatusinitiated",
+	})
+
+	ht.EnsureConnected(alice, bob)
 	chanPoint := ht.OpenChannel(
 		alice, bob, lntest.OpenChannelParams{
 			Amt:            1000000,
diff --git a/lnrpc/routerrpc/config.go b/lnrpc/routerrpc/config.go
index adcc84e80..ec70b6d46 100644
--- a/lnrpc/routerrpc/config.go
+++ b/lnrpc/routerrpc/config.go
@@ -10,9 +10,18 @@ import (
 // The fields with struct tags are meant to be parsed as normal configuration
 // options, while if able to be populated, the latter fields MUST also be
 // specified.
+//
+//nolint:lll
 type Config struct {
 	RoutingConfig
 
+	// UseStatusInitiated is a boolean that indicates whether the router
+	// should use the new status code `Payment_INITIATED`.
+	//
+	// TODO(yy): remove this config after the new status code is fully
+	// deployed to the network(v0.20.0).
+	UseStatusInitiated bool `long:"usestatusinitiated" description:"If true, the router will send Payment_INITIATED for new payments, otherwise Payment_In_FLIGHT will be sent for compatibility concerns."`
+
 	// RouterMacPath is the path for the router macaroon. If unspecified
 	// then we assume that the macaroon will be found under the network
 	// directory, named DefaultRouterMacFilename.
diff --git a/lnrpc/routerrpc/router_backend.go b/lnrpc/routerrpc/router_backend.go
index 549443f0f..49d080a32 100644
--- a/lnrpc/routerrpc/router_backend.go
+++ b/lnrpc/routerrpc/router_backend.go
@@ -98,6 +98,13 @@ type RouterBackend struct {
 	// SetChannelAuto exposes the ability to restore automatic channel state
 	// management after manually setting channel status.
 	SetChannelAuto func(wire.OutPoint) error
+
+	// UseStatusInitiated is a boolean that indicates whether the router
+	// should use the new status code `Payment_INITIATED`.
+	//
+	// TODO(yy): remove this config after the new status code is fully
+	// deployed to the network(v0.20.0).
+	UseStatusInitiated bool
 }
 
 // MissionControl defines the mission control dependencies of routerrpc.
@@ -1542,7 +1549,9 @@ func (r *RouterBackend) MarshallPayment(payment *channeldb.MPPayment) (
 	msatValue := int64(payment.Info.Value)
 	satValue := int64(payment.Info.Value.ToSatoshis())
 
-	status, err := convertPaymentStatus(payment.Status)
+	status, err := convertPaymentStatus(
+		payment.Status, r.UseStatusInitiated,
+	)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -1589,12 +1598,18 @@ func (r *RouterBackend) MarshallPayment(payment *channeldb.MPPayment) (
 
 // convertPaymentStatus converts a channeldb.PaymentStatus to the type expected
 // by the RPC.
-func convertPaymentStatus(dbStatus channeldb.PaymentStatus) (
+func convertPaymentStatus(dbStatus channeldb.PaymentStatus, useInit bool) (
 	lnrpc.Payment_PaymentStatus, error) {
 
 	switch dbStatus {
 	case channeldb.StatusInitiated:
-		return lnrpc.Payment_INITIATED, nil
+		// If the client understands the new status, return it.
+		if useInit {
+			return lnrpc.Payment_INITIATED, nil
+		}
+
+		// Otherwise remain the old behavior.
+		return lnrpc.Payment_IN_FLIGHT, nil
 
 	case channeldb.StatusInFlight:
 		return lnrpc.Payment_IN_FLIGHT, nil
diff --git a/rpcserver.go b/rpcserver.go
index fa23f0485..27921e5d7 100644
--- a/rpcserver.go
+++ b/rpcserver.go
@@ -715,7 +715,8 @@ func (r *rpcServer) addDeps(s *server, macService *macaroons.Service,
 		SetChannelDisabled: func(outpoint wire.OutPoint) error {
 			return s.chanStatusMgr.RequestDisable(outpoint, true)
 		},
-		SetChannelAuto: s.chanStatusMgr.RequestAuto,
+		SetChannelAuto:     s.chanStatusMgr.RequestAuto,
+		UseStatusInitiated: subServerCgs.RouterRPC.UseStatusInitiated,
 	}
 
 	genInvoiceFeatures := func() *lnwire.FeatureVector {
diff --git a/sample-lnd.conf b/sample-lnd.conf
index 9bc1a2a84..0b7531e66 100644
--- a/sample-lnd.conf
+++ b/sample-lnd.conf
@@ -1201,6 +1201,10 @@
 ; failures in channels. 
 ; routerrpc.bimodal.decaytime=168h
 
+; If set, the router will send `Payment_INITIATED` for new payments, otherwise
+; `Payment_In_FLIGHT` will be sent for compatibility concerns.
+; routerrpc.usestatusinitiated=false
+
 
 [workers]