diff --git a/youtube_dl/downloader/external.py b/youtube_dl/downloader/external.py
index 5f73f7f0f..acdb27712 100644
--- a/youtube_dl/downloader/external.py
+++ b/youtube_dl/downloader/external.py
@@ -289,6 +289,7 @@ def _call_downloader(self, tmpfilename, info_dict):
             tc_url = info_dict.get('tc_url')
             flash_version = info_dict.get('flash_version')
             live = info_dict.get('rtmp_live', False)
+            conn = info_dict.get('rtmp_conn')
             if player_url is not None:
                 args += ['-rtmp_swfverify', player_url]
             if page_url is not None:
@@ -303,6 +304,11 @@ def _call_downloader(self, tmpfilename, info_dict):
                 args += ['-rtmp_flashver', flash_version]
             if live:
                 args += ['-rtmp_live', 'live']
+            if isinstance(conn, list):
+                for entry in conn:
+                    args += ['-rtmp_conn', entry]
+            elif isinstance(conn, compat_str):
+                args += ['-rtmp_conn', conn]
 
         args += ['-i', url, '-c', 'copy']