diff --git a/lnd.go b/lnd.go
index 5d5606d8..38ad62a4 100644
--- a/lnd.go
+++ b/lnd.go
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import (
 
 	flags "github.com/btcsuite/go-flags"
 	proxy "github.com/grpc-ecosystem/grpc-gateway/runtime"
+	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/autopilot"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/channeldb"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lnrpc"
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lnwallet"
@@ -286,11 +287,33 @@ func lndMain() error {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	// Now that the server has started, if the autopilot mode is currently
+	// active, then we'll initialize a fresh instance of it and start it.
+	var pilot *autopilot.Agent
+	if cfg.Autopilot.Active {
+		pilot, err := initAutoPilot(server, cfg.Autopilot)
+		if err != nil {
+			ltndLog.Errorf("unable to create autopilot agent: %v",
+				err)
+			return err
+		}
+		if err := pilot.Start(); err != nil {
+			ltndLog.Errorf("unable to start autopilot agent: %v",
+				err)
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+
 	addInterruptHandler(func() {
 		ltndLog.Infof("Gracefully shutting down the server...")
 		rpcServer.Stop()
 		fundingMgr.Stop()
 		server.Stop()
+
+		if pilot != nil {
+			pilot.Stop()
+		}
+
 		server.WaitForShutdown()
 	})