diff --git a/yt_dlp/downloader/external.py b/yt_dlp/downloader/external.py
index fdfabb38da..3dddedb14f 100644
--- a/yt_dlp/downloader/external.py
+++ b/yt_dlp/downloader/external.py
@@ -288,6 +288,7 @@ class Aria2cFD(ExternalFD):
         if info_dict.get('http_headers') is not None:
             for key, val in info_dict['http_headers'].items():
                 cmd += ['--header', '%s: %s' % (key, val)]
+        cmd += self._option('--max-overall-download-limit', 'ratelimit')
         cmd += self._option('--interface', 'source_address')
         cmd += self._option('--all-proxy', 'proxy')
         cmd += self._bool_option('--check-certificate', 'nocheckcertificate', 'false', 'true', '=')