diff --git a/qt/aqt/mpv.py b/qt/aqt/mpv.py
index ce0ba3da9..60ea21290 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/mpv.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/mpv.py
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 import inspect
 import json
 import os
+import platform
 import select
 import socket
 import subprocess
@@ -40,7 +41,7 @@ import time
 from queue import Empty, Full, Queue
 from shutil import which
 
-from anki.utils import is_win
+from anki.utils import is_mac, is_win
 
 
 class MPVError(Exception):
@@ -88,11 +89,13 @@ class MPVBase:
         "--keep-open=no",
         "--autoload-files=no",
         "--gapless-audio=no",
-        "--no-ytdl",
     ]
 
     if is_win:
         default_argv += ["--af-add=lavfi=[apad=pad_dur=0.150]"]
+    if not is_mac or platform.machine() != "arm64":
+        # our arm64 mpv build doesn't support this option (compiled out)
+        default_argv += ["--no-ytdl"]
 
     def __init__(self, window_id=None, debug=False):
         self.window_id = window_id