diff --git a/dist/index.html b/dist/index.html
index 4af8402e8..728e8ad44 100644
--- a/dist/index.html
+++ b/dist/index.html
@@ -146,6 +146,7 @@ Class08 <--> C2: Cool label
       flowchart: { curve: 'basis' },
       gantt: { axisFormat: '%m/%d/%Y' },
       sequence: { actorMargin: 50 },
+      // sequenceDiagram: { actorMargin: 300 } // deprecated
     });
   </script>
   <script>
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 052697175..37eeddcfa 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "mermaid",
-  "version": "8.0.0-beta.7",
+  "version": "8.0.0-beta.8",
   "description": "Markdownish syntax for generating flowcharts, sequence diagrams, class diagrams, gantt charts and git graphs.",
   "main": "dist/mermaid.core.js",
   "keywords": [
diff --git a/src/mermaidAPI.js b/src/mermaidAPI.js
index 07c7a24e9..ee49a3faf 100644
--- a/src/mermaidAPI.js
+++ b/src/mermaidAPI.js
@@ -364,7 +364,12 @@ const render = function (id, txt, cb, container) {
       break
     case 'sequence':
       config.sequence.arrowMarkerAbsolute = config.arrowMarkerAbsolute
-      sequenceRenderer.setConf(config.sequence)
+      if (config.sequenceDiagram) { // backwards compatibility
+        sequenceRenderer.setConf(Object.assign(config.sequence, config.sequenceDiagram))
+        console.error('`mermaid config.sequenceDiagram` has been renamed to `config.sequence`. Please update your mermaid config.')
+      } else {
+        sequenceRenderer.setConf(config.sequence)
+      }
       sequenceRenderer.draw(txt, id)
       break
     case 'gantt':