diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 00975ab5ea..029c418d16 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -30,7 +30,8 @@ which means you can modify it, redistribute it or use it however you like.
     --list-extractors          List all supported extractors and the URLs they
                                would handle
     --extractor-descriptions   Output descriptions of all supported extractors
-    --proxy URL                Use the specified HTTP/HTTPS proxy
+    --proxy URL                Use the specified HTTP/HTTPS proxy. Pass in an
+                               empty string (--proxy "") for direct connection
     --no-check-certificate     Suppress HTTPS certificate validation.
     --cache-dir DIR            Location in the filesystem where youtube-dl can
                                store downloaded information permanently. By
diff --git a/youtube_dl/version.py b/youtube_dl/version.py
index f9a339c028..68b30bfd4a 100644
--- a/youtube_dl/version.py
+++ b/youtube_dl/version.py
@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
 
-__version__ = '2013.12.03'
+__version__ = '2013.12.04'