diff --git a/youtube_dl/YoutubeDL.py b/youtube_dl/YoutubeDL.py
index 24d6c2de76..6d5c401dfa 100755
--- a/youtube_dl/YoutubeDL.py
+++ b/youtube_dl/YoutubeDL.py
@@ -912,7 +912,7 @@ def process_video_result(self, info_dict, download=True):
                             selected_format = {
                                 'requested_formats': formats_info,
                                 'format': rf,
-                                'ext': formats_info[0]['ext'],
+                                'ext': self.params['merge_output_format'] if self.params['merge_output_format'] is not None else formats_info[0]['ext'],
                             }
                         else:
                             selected_format = None