diff --git a/recipes/README.recipes.md b/recipes/README.recipes.md
index 11c7c4720..ad8130766 100644
--- a/recipes/README.recipes.md
+++ b/recipes/README.recipes.md
@@ -446,7 +446,7 @@ Returns:
 
 — **def [move\_changes](/recipes/recipe_modules/gerrit/api.py#229)(self, host, project, from_branch, to_branch, step_test_data=None):**
 
-— **def [update\_files](/recipes/recipe_modules/gerrit/api.py#253)(self, host, project, branch, new_contents_by_file_path, commit_msg, submit=False):**
+— **def [update\_files](/recipes/recipe_modules/gerrit/api.py#253)(self, host, project, branch, new_contents_by_file_path, commit_msg, params=frozenset(['status=NEW']), submit=False):**
 
 Update a set of files by creating and submitting a Gerrit CL.
 
@@ -457,6 +457,8 @@ Args:
   * new_contents_by_file_path: Dict of the new contents with file path as
       the key.
   * commit_msg: Description to add to the CL.
+  * params: A list of additional ChangeInput specifiers, with format
+      'key=value'.
   * submit: Should land this CL instantly.
 
 Returns:
diff --git a/recipes/recipe_modules/gerrit/api.py b/recipes/recipe_modules/gerrit/api.py
index ab2ef9cf0..93e9b5d40 100644
--- a/recipes/recipe_modules/gerrit/api.py
+++ b/recipes/recipe_modules/gerrit/api.py
@@ -256,6 +256,7 @@ class GerritApi(recipe_api.RecipeApi):
                    branch,
                    new_contents_by_file_path,
                    commit_msg,
+                   params=frozenset(['status=NEW']),
                    submit=False):
     """Update a set of files by creating and submitting a Gerrit CL.
 
@@ -266,6 +267,8 @@ class GerritApi(recipe_api.RecipeApi):
       * new_contents_by_file_path: Dict of the new contents with file path as
           the key.
       * commit_msg: Description to add to the CL.
+      * params: A list of additional ChangeInput specifiers, with format
+          'key=value'.
       * submit: Should land this CL instantly.
 
     Returns:
@@ -273,7 +276,7 @@ class GerritApi(recipe_api.RecipeApi):
     """
     assert len(new_contents_by_file_path
                ) > 0, 'The dict of file paths should not be empty.'
-    step_result = self('create change at (%s %s)' % (project, branch), [
+    command = [
         'createchange',
         '--host',
         host,
@@ -285,7 +288,10 @@ class GerritApi(recipe_api.RecipeApi):
         commit_msg,
         '--json_file',
         self.m.json.output(),
-    ])
+    ]
+    for p in params:
+      command.extend(['-p', p])
+    step_result = self('create change at (%s %s)' % (project, branch), command)
     change = int(step_result.json.output.get('_number'))
     step_result.presentation.links['change %d' %
                                    change] = '%s/#/q/%d' % (host, change)
diff --git a/recipes/recipe_modules/gerrit/examples/full.expected/basic.json b/recipes/recipe_modules/gerrit/examples/full.expected/basic.json
index ea0c9883e..22a00a71e 100644
--- a/recipes/recipe_modules/gerrit/examples/full.expected/basic.json
+++ b/recipes/recipe_modules/gerrit/examples/full.expected/basic.json
@@ -121,7 +121,9 @@
       "--subject",
       "Dummy CL.",
       "--json_file",
-      "/path/to/tmp/json"
+      "/path/to/tmp/json",
+      "-p",
+      "status=NEW"
     ],
     "env": {
       "PATH": "<PATH>:RECIPE_REPO[depot_tools]"