diff --git a/include/downloader.h b/include/downloader.h
index 43efee9d9..b60e48136 100644
--- a/include/downloader.h
+++ b/include/downloader.h
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ class Download {
   void updateStatus(bool follow=false);
   void pauseDownload();
   void resumeDownload();
+  void cancelDownload();
   StatusResult getStatus()          { return m_status; }
   std::string  getDid()             { return m_did; }
   std::string  getFollowedBy()      { return m_followedBy; }
diff --git a/src/aria2.cpp b/src/aria2.cpp
index c24135a85..0366beb90 100644
--- a/src/aria2.cpp
+++ b/src/aria2.cpp
@@ -233,4 +233,11 @@ void Aria2::unpause(const std::string& gid)
     doRequest(methodCall);
 }
 
+void Aria2::remove(const std::string& gid)
+{
+    MethodCall methodCall("aria2.remove", m_secret);
+    methodCall.newParamValue().set(gid);
+    doRequest(methodCall);
+}
+
 } // end namespace kiwix
diff --git a/src/aria2.h b/src/aria2.h
index 9f073371a..898904a5d 100644
--- a/src/aria2.h
+++ b/src/aria2.h
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ class Aria2
     void shutdown();
     void pause(const std::string& gid);
     void unpause(const std::string& gid);
+    void remove(const std::string& gid);
 };
 
 }; //end namespace kiwix
diff --git a/src/downloader.cpp b/src/downloader.cpp
index 5d1e5e482..1eccf38b6 100644
--- a/src/downloader.cpp
+++ b/src/downloader.cpp
@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@ namespace kiwix
 
 void Download::updateStatus(bool follow)
 {
+  if (m_status == Download::K_REMOVED)
+    return;
   static std::vector<std::string> statusKey = {"status", "files", "totalLength",
                                                "completedLength", "followedBy",
                                                "downloadSpeed", "verifiedLength"};
@@ -111,6 +113,15 @@ void Download::pauseDownload()
     updateStatus(true);
 }
 
+void Download::cancelDownload()
+{
+    if (!m_followedBy.empty())
+        mp_aria->remove(m_followedBy);
+    else
+        mp_aria->remove(m_did);
+    m_status = Download::K_REMOVED;
+}
+
 /* Constructor */
 Downloader::Downloader() :
   mp_aria(new Aria2())