diff --git a/apps/model-diagnostics/model_diagnostics.cpp b/apps/model-diagnostics/model_diagnostics.cpp
index 365833c9e5..00537e90b0 100644
--- a/apps/model-diagnostics/model_diagnostics.cpp
+++ b/apps/model-diagnostics/model_diagnostics.cpp
@@ -49,9 +49,11 @@ static std::vector<int> parseShape(const std::string &shape_str) {
 }
 
 std::string diagnosticKeys =
+        "{ help h      | | Print help. }"
         "{ model m     | | Path to the model file. }"
         "{ config c    | | Path to the model configuration file. }"
         "{ framework f | | [Optional] Name of the model framework. }"
+        "{ engine e    | auto | [Optional] Graph negine selector: auto or classic or new}"
         "{ input0_name | | [Optional] Name of input0. Use with input0_shape}"
         "{ input0_shape | | [Optional] Shape of input0. Use with input0_name}"
         "{ input1_name | | [Optional] Name of input1. Use with input1_shape}"
@@ -75,6 +77,12 @@ int main( int argc, const char** argv )
         return 0;
     }
 
+    if(argParser.has("help"))
+    {
+        argParser.printMessage();
+        return 0;
+    }
+
     std::string model = checkFileExists(argParser.get<std::string>("model"));
     std::string config = checkFileExists(argParser.get<std::string>("config"));
     std::string frameworkId = argParser.get<std::string>("framework");
@@ -90,13 +98,30 @@ int main( int argc, const char** argv )
     std::string input4_name = argParser.get<std::string>("input4_name");
     std::string input4_shape = argParser.get<std::string>("input4_shape");
 
+    dnn::EngineType engine = dnn::ENGINE_AUTO;
+    if (argParser.has("engine"))
+    {
+        std::string eng_name = argParser.get<std::string>("engine");
+        if(eng_name == "auto")
+            engine = dnn::ENGINE_AUTO;
+        else if(eng_name == "classic")
+            engine = dnn::ENGINE_CLASSIC;
+        else if(eng_name == "new")
+            engine = dnn::ENGINE_NEW;
+        else
+        {
+            std::cerr << "Unknown DNN graph engine \"" << eng_name << "\"\n";
+            return -1;
+        }
+    }
+
     CV_Assert(!model.empty());
 
     enableModelDiagnostics(true);
     skipModelImport(true);
     redirectError(diagnosticsErrorCallback, NULL);
 
-    Net ocvNet = readNet(model, config, frameworkId);
+    Net ocvNet = readNet(model, config, frameworkId, engine);
 
     std::vector<std::string> input_names;
     std::vector<std::vector<int>> input_shapes;