1 files changed, 13 insertions, 1 deletions
diff --git a/youtube_dlc/downloader/external.py b/youtube_dlc/downloader/external.py
index 8cd0511fc..2ae153f4a 100644
--- a/youtube_dlc/downloader/external.py
+++ b/youtube_dlc/downloader/external.py
@@ -95,7 +95,19 @@ class ExternalFD(FileDownloader):
         return cli_valueless_option(self.params, command_option, param, expected_value)
 
     def _configuration_args(self, default=[]):
-        return cli_configuration_args(self.params, 'external_downloader_args', default)
+        args = self.params.get('external_downloader_args', {})
+        if isinstance(args, (list, tuple)):  # for backward compatibility
+            return args
+        if args is None:
+            return default
+        assert isinstance(args, dict)
+
+        dl_args = args.get(self.get_basename().lower())
+        if dl_args is None:
+            dl_args = args.get('default', default)
+        assert isinstance(dl_args, (list, tuple))
+        return dl_args
+
 
     def _call_downloader(self, tmpfilename, info_dict):
         """ Either overwrite this or implement _make_cmd """