A video encoder generates a bitstream that includes a syntax element that indicates whether a picture is encoded according either a first coding mode or a second coding mode. In the first coding mode, the picture is entirely encoded using wavefront parallel processing (WPP). In the second coding mode, each tile of the picture is encoded without using WPP and the picture may have one or more tiles. A video decoder may parse the syntax element from the bitstream. In response to determining that the syntax element has a particular value, the video decoder decodes the picture entirely using WPP. In response to determining that the syntax element does not have the particular value, the video decoder decodes each tile of the picture without using WPP.