diff --git a/docs/configuration.rst b/docs/configuration.rst
index ae9edb5c..403d2ca0 100644
--- a/docs/configuration.rst
+++ b/docs/configuration.rst
@@ -2553,6 +2553,14 @@ Description
     Download from video pins.
 
 
+extractor.pixeldrain.api-key
+----------------------------
+Type
+    ``string``
+Description
+    Your account's `API key <https://pixeldrain.com/user/api_keys>`__
+
+
 extractor.pixiv.include
 -----------------------
 Type
diff --git a/gallery_dl/extractor/pixeldrain.py b/gallery_dl/extractor/pixeldrain.py
index acfd7d4b..34b4ebff 100644
--- a/gallery_dl/extractor/pixeldrain.py
+++ b/gallery_dl/extractor/pixeldrain.py
@@ -20,6 +20,11 @@ class PixeldrainExtractor(Extractor):
     root = "https://pixeldrain.com"
     archive_fmt = "{id}"
 
+    def _init(self):
+        api_key = self.config("api-key")
+        if api_key:
+            self.session.auth = ("", api_key)
+
     def parse_datetime(self, date_string):
         return text.parse_datetime(
             date_string, "%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S.%fZ")