diff --git a/lnrpc/routerrpc/router_backend.go b/lnrpc/routerrpc/router_backend.go
index 0756770d4..1e2b5ccd5 100644
--- a/lnrpc/routerrpc/router_backend.go
+++ b/lnrpc/routerrpc/router_backend.go
@@ -24,6 +24,15 @@ import (
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/zpay32"
 )
 
+const (
+	// DefaultMaxParts is the default number of splits we'll possibly use
+	// for MPP when the user is attempting to send a payment.
+	//
+	// TODO(roasbeef): make this value dynamic based on expected number of
+	// attempts for given amount
+	DefaultMaxParts = 16
+)
+
 // RouterBackend contains the backend implementation of the router rpc sub
 // server calls.
 type RouterBackend struct {
@@ -554,11 +563,12 @@ func (r *RouterBackend) extractIntentFromSendRequest(
 	}
 	payIntent.CltvLimit = cltvLimit
 
-	// Take max htlcs from the request. Map zero to one for backwards
-	// compatibility.
+	// Attempt to parse the max parts value set by the user, if this value
+	// isn't set, then we'll use the current default value for this
+	// setting.
 	maxParts := rpcPayReq.MaxParts
 	if maxParts == 0 {
-		maxParts = 1
+		maxParts = DefaultMaxParts
 	}
 	payIntent.MaxParts = maxParts