diff --git a/nostr/relay.py b/nostr/relay.py
index 6571d85..5be5c5b 100644
--- a/nostr/relay.py
+++ b/nostr/relay.py
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 import json
-import ssl
 from websocket import WebSocketApp
 from .event import Event
 from .filter import Filters
@@ -36,8 +35,8 @@ class Relay:
             on_error=self._on_error,
             on_close=self._on_close)
 
-    def connect(self):
-        self.ws.run_forever(sslopt={"cert_reqs": ssl.CERT_NONE})
+    def connect(self, ssl_options: dict=None):
+        self.ws.run_forever(sslopt=ssl_options)
 
     def close(self):
         self.ws.close()
diff --git a/nostr/relay_manager.py b/nostr/relay_manager.py
index 0dc0c01..231fecf 100644
--- a/nostr/relay_manager.py
+++ b/nostr/relay_manager.py
@@ -30,16 +30,18 @@ class RelayManager:
             for relay in self.relays.values():
                 relay.close_subscription(id)
 
-    def open_connection(self, relay: Relay=None):
+    def open_connection(self, relay: Relay=None, ssl_options: dict=None):
         if relay != None:
             threading.Thread(
                 target=relay.connect,
+                args=(ssl_options,),
                 name=f"{relay.url}-thread"
             ).start()
         else:
             for relay in self.relays.values():
                 threading.Thread(
                     target=relay.connect,
+                    args=(ssl_options,),
                     name=f"{relay.url}-thread"
                 ).start()