diff --git a/youtube_dl/YoutubeDL.py b/youtube_dl/YoutubeDL.py
index 5a0cc3f9a3..1783ce01bf 100755
--- a/youtube_dl/YoutubeDL.py
+++ b/youtube_dl/YoutubeDL.py
@@ -1994,9 +1994,6 @@ class YoutubeDL(object):
             encoding = preferredencoding()
         return encoding
 
-    def get_opener(self):
-        return self._opener
-
     def _write_thumbnails(self, info_dict, filename):
         if self.params.get('writethumbnail', False):
             thumbnails = info_dict.get('thumbnails')
diff --git a/youtube_dl/__init__.py b/youtube_dl/__init__.py
index 760128546b..9f131f5db4 100644
--- a/youtube_dl/__init__.py
+++ b/youtube_dl/__init__.py
@@ -377,7 +377,7 @@ def _real_main(argv=None):
     with YoutubeDL(ydl_opts) as ydl:
         # Update version
         if opts.update_self:
-            update_self(ydl.to_screen, opts.verbose, ydl.get_opener())
+            update_self(ydl.to_screen, opts.verbose, ydl._opener)
 
         # Remove cache dir
         if opts.rm_cachedir: