diff --git a/python/tank/platform/engine.py b/python/tank/platform/engine.py
index 636fc33b4..bc22d6ce3 100644
--- a/python/tank/platform/engine.py
+++ b/python/tank/platform/engine.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 import pprint
 import traceback
 import inspect
+import warnings
 import weakref
 import threading
 
@@ -294,6 +295,16 @@ def __repr__(self):
             self.__env.name,
         )
 
+    def __getattribute__(self, attr):
+        if attr == "init_engine":
+            warnings.warn(
+                f"The method Engine.init_engine is deprecated and will be removed in future versions. "
+                f"Please use pre_app_init instead.",
+                DeprecationWarning,
+            )
+
+        return super().__getattribute__(attr)
+
     ##########################################################################################
     # properties used by internal classes, not part of the public interface