diff --git a/pygmt/src/select.py b/pygmt/src/select.py
index db37f8da54d..e5ec32844a0 100644
--- a/pygmt/src/select.py
+++ b/pygmt/src/select.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 from pygmt.clib import Session
 from pygmt.helpers import (
     build_arg_list,
+    deprecate_parameter,
     fmt_docstring,
     kwargs_to_strings,
     use_alias,
@@ -22,11 +23,12 @@
 
 
 @fmt_docstring
+@deprecate_parameter("gridmask", "mask_grid", "v0.18.0", remove_version="v0.20.0")
 @use_alias(
     A="area_thresh",
     C="dist2pt",
     F="polygon",
-    G="gridmask",
+    G="mask_grid",
     I="reverse",
     L="dist2line",
     N="mask",
@@ -128,9 +130,9 @@ def select(
         <reference/file-formats.html#optional-segment-header-records>`
         *polygonfile*. For spherical polygons (lon, lat), make sure no
         consecutive points are separated by 180 degrees or more in longitude.
-    gridmask : str
+    mask_grid : str
         Pass all locations that are inside the valid data area of the grid
-        *gridmask*. Nodes that are outside are either NaN or zero.
+        *mask_grid*. Nodes that are outside are either NaN or zero.
     reverse : str
         [**cflrsz**].
         Reverse the sense of the test for each of the criteria specified:
@@ -138,7 +140,7 @@ def select(
         - **c** select records NOT inside any point's circle of influence.
         - **f** select records NOT inside any of the polygons.
         - **g** will pass records inside the cells with z equal zero of the
-          grid mask in ``gridmask``.
+          *mask_grid* in ``mask_grid``.
         - **l** select records NOT within the specified distance of any line.
         - **r** select records NOT inside the specified rectangular region.
         - **s** select records NOT considered inside as specified by ``mask``