diff --git a/electrum/commands.py b/electrum/commands.py
index 3f3f55d6e..ae7fb98b7 100644
--- a/electrum/commands.py
+++ b/electrum/commands.py
@@ -1378,8 +1378,7 @@ class Commands(Logger):
         """
         assert len(preimage) == 64, f"Invalid preimage length: {len(preimage)} != 64"
         payment_hash: str = crypto.sha256(bfh(preimage)).hex()
-        assert preimage not in wallet.lnworker.preimages, "Preimage has been used as payment hash already!"
-        assert payment_hash not in wallet.lnworker.preimages, "Preimage already in use!"
+        assert payment_hash not in wallet.lnworker._preimages, "Preimage already in use!"
         assert payment_hash not in wallet.lnworker.payment_info, "Payment hash already used!"
         assert payment_hash not in wallet.lnworker.dont_settle_htlcs, "Payment hash already used!"
         assert MIN_FINAL_CLTV_DELTA_FOR_INVOICE < min_final_cltv_expiry_delta < 576, "Use a sane min_final_cltv_expiry_delta value"
@@ -1417,7 +1416,7 @@ class Commands(Logger):
         arg:str:payment_hash:Hex encoded payment hash of the invoice to be settled
         """
         assert len(payment_hash) == 64, f"Invalid payment_hash length: {len(payment_hash)} != 64"
-        assert payment_hash in wallet.lnworker.preimages, f"Couldn't find preimage for {payment_hash}"
+        assert payment_hash in wallet.lnworker._preimages, f"Couldn't find preimage for {payment_hash}"
         assert payment_hash in wallet.lnworker.dont_settle_htlcs, "Is already settled!"
         assert payment_hash in wallet.lnworker.payment_info, \
             f"Couldn't find lightning invoice for payment hash {payment_hash}"
@@ -1439,9 +1438,9 @@ class Commands(Logger):
         """
         assert payment_hash in wallet.lnworker.payment_info, \
             f"Couldn't find lightning invoice for payment hash {payment_hash}"
-        assert payment_hash in wallet.lnworker.preimages, "Nothing to cancel, no known preimage."
+        assert payment_hash in wallet.lnworker._preimages, "Nothing to cancel, no known preimage."
         assert payment_hash in wallet.lnworker.dont_settle_htlcs, "Is already settled!"
-        del wallet.lnworker.preimages[payment_hash]
+        del wallet.lnworker._preimages[payment_hash]
         # set to PR_UNPAID so it can get deleted
         wallet.lnworker.set_payment_status(bfh(payment_hash), PR_UNPAID)
         wallet.lnworker.delete_payment_info(payment_hash)
@@ -1474,7 +1473,7 @@ class Commands(Logger):
             status = "unpaid"
         elif is_accepted_mpp and payment_hash in wallet.lnworker.dont_settle_htlcs:
             status = "paid"
-        elif (payment_hash in wallet.lnworker.preimages
+        elif (payment_hash in wallet.lnworker._preimages
                 and payment_hash not in wallet.lnworker.dont_settle_htlcs
                 and is_accepted_mpp):
             status = "settled"
diff --git a/tests/test_commands.py b/tests/test_commands.py
index 927def38a..e5ea23b9a 100644
--- a/tests/test_commands.py
+++ b/tests/test_commands.py
@@ -430,7 +430,7 @@ class TestCommandsTestnet(ElectrumTestCase):
             )
         invoice = lndecode(invoice=result['invoice'])
         assert invoice.paymenthash.hex() == payment_hash
-        assert payment_hash in wallet.lnworker.preimages
+        assert payment_hash in wallet.lnworker._preimages
         assert payment_hash in wallet.lnworker.payment_info
         assert payment_hash in wallet.lnworker.dont_settle_htlcs
         assert invoice.get_amount_sat() == 10000
@@ -441,7 +441,7 @@ class TestCommandsTestnet(ElectrumTestCase):
         )
         assert payment_hash not in wallet.lnworker.payment_info
         assert payment_hash not in wallet.lnworker.dont_settle_htlcs
-        assert payment_hash not in wallet.lnworker.preimages
+        assert payment_hash not in wallet.lnworker._preimages
         assert cancel_result['cancelled'] == payment_hash
 
         with self.assertRaises(AssertionError):
@@ -477,7 +477,7 @@ class TestCommandsTestnet(ElectrumTestCase):
                 wallet=wallet,
             )
         assert settle_result['settled'] == payment_hash
-        assert wallet.lnworker.preimages[payment_hash] == preimage.hex()
+        assert wallet.lnworker._preimages[payment_hash] == preimage.hex()
         assert payment_hash not in wallet.lnworker.dont_settle_htlcs
 
         with self.assertRaises(AssertionError):