diff --git a/yt_dlp/update.py b/yt_dlp/update.py
index 41c11677c7..c421443379 100644
--- a/yt_dlp/update.py
+++ b/yt_dlp/update.py
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ def _get_variant_and_executable_path():
             return 'py2exe', path
         if sys._MEIPASS == os.path.dirname(path):
             return f'{sys.platform}_dir', path
+        if sys.platform == 'darwin' and version_tuple(platform.mac_ver()[0]) < (10, 15):
+            return 'darwin_legacy_exe', path
         return f'{sys.platform}_exe', path
 
     path = os.path.dirname(__file__)
@@ -45,6 +47,7 @@ def detect_variant():
     'py2exe': '_min.exe',
     'win32_exe': '.exe',
     'darwin_exe': '_macos',
+    'darwin_legacy_exe': '_macos_legacy',
     'linux_exe': '_linux',
 }