diff --git a/config/application.rb b/config/application.rb
index 74fe3e439ed..ac6e4be4282 100644
--- a/config/application.rb
+++ b/config/application.rb
@@ -194,4 +194,10 @@ module Gitlab
       Gitlab::Routing.add_helpers(MilestonesRoutingHelper)
     end
   end
+
+  # This method is used for smooth upgrading from the current Rails 4.x to Rails 5.0.
+  # https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ce/issues/14286
+  def self.rails5?
+    ENV["RAILS5"].in?(%w[1 true])
+  end
 end