diff --git a/docs/libcurl/opts/CURLMOPT_NETWORK_CHANGED.md b/docs/libcurl/opts/CURLMOPT_NETWORK_CHANGED.md
index 0ad0074353..8c8e14aa40 100644
--- a/docs/libcurl/opts/CURLMOPT_NETWORK_CHANGED.md
+++ b/docs/libcurl/opts/CURLMOPT_NETWORK_CHANGED.md
@@ -27,24 +27,30 @@ CURLMcode curl_multi_setopt(CURLM *handle, CURLMOPT_NETWORK_CHANGED,
 
 # DESCRIPTION
 
-Pass a long for **value**. The set number determines how the multi
-handle should adapt to a change in the network.
+Pass a long with a bitmask to tell libcurl how the multi
+handle should react. The following values in the mask are
+defined. All bits not mentioned are reserved for future
+extensions.
 
-`1`: do not reuse any existing connection in the multi handle's
+This option can be set at any time and repeatedly. Any connection created or
+DNS information cached afterwards is considered fresh again. The call affects
+only the connection and DNS cache of the multi handle itself and not the
+ones owned by SHARE handles.
+
+
+## CURLM_NWCOPT_CLEAR_CONNS
+
+No longer reuse any existing connection in the multi handle's
 connection cache. This closes all connections that are not in use.
 Ongoing transfers continue on the connections they operate on.
 
-`2`: in addition to `1` also clear the multi handle's DNS cache.
+## CURLM_NWCOPT_CLEAR_DNS
 
-This option can be set at any time and repeatedly. Any connection created or
-DNS information cached afterwards is considered fresh again.
-
-This affects only the connection and DNS cache of the multi handle and
-not the ones owned by SHARE handles.
+Clear the multi handle's DNS cache.
 
 # DEFAULT
 
-0, which means that there was no change.
+0, which has no effect.
 
 # %PROTOCOLS%
 
@@ -56,7 +62,7 @@ int main(void)
   CURLM *m = curl_multi_init();
   /* do transfers on the multi handle */
   /* do not reuse existing connections */
-  curl_multi_setopt(m, CURLMOPT_NETWORK_CHANGED, 1L);
+  curl_multi_setopt(m, CURLMOPT_NETWORK_CHANGED, CURLM_NWCOPT_CLEAR_CONNS);
 }
 ~~~
 
diff --git a/docs/libcurl/symbols-in-versions b/docs/libcurl/symbols-in-versions
index 910adc04b4..02d7e3bef2 100644
--- a/docs/libcurl/symbols-in-versions
+++ b/docs/libcurl/symbols-in-versions
@@ -545,6 +545,8 @@ CURLM_BAD_SOCKET                7.15.4
 CURLM_CALL_MULTI_PERFORM        7.9.6
 CURLM_CALL_MULTI_SOCKET         7.15.5
 CURLM_INTERNAL_ERROR            7.9.6
+CURLM_NWCOPT_CLEAR_CONNS        8.15.0
+CURLM_NWCOPT_CLEAR_DNS          8.15.0
 CURLM_OK                        7.9.6
 CURLM_OUT_OF_MEMORY             7.9.6
 CURLM_RECURSIVE_API_CALL        7.59.0
diff --git a/include/curl/multi.h b/include/curl/multi.h
index e39f896940..0fbea88707 100644
--- a/include/curl/multi.h
+++ b/include/curl/multi.h
@@ -401,6 +401,17 @@ typedef enum {
   CURLMOPT_LASTENTRY /* the last unused */
 } CURLMoption;
 
+/* Definition of bits for the CURLMOPT_NETWORK_CHANGED argument: */
+
+/* - CURLM_NWCOPT_CLEAR_CONNS tells libcurl to prevent further reuse
+     of existing connections. Connections that are idle will be closed.
+     Ongoing transfers will continue with the connection they have. */
+#define CURLM_NWCOPT_CLEAR_CONNS (1L<<0)
+
+/* - CURLM_NWCOPT_CLEAR_DNS tells libcurl to prevent further reuse
+     of existing connections. Connections that are idle will be closed.
+     Ongoing transfers will continue with the connection they have. */
+#define CURLM_NWCOPT_CLEAR_DNS (1L<<0)
 
 /*
  * Name:    curl_multi_setopt()
diff --git a/lib/multi.c b/lib/multi.c
index f23fc6ec19..194cf75d40 100644
--- a/lib/multi.c
+++ b/lib/multi.c
@@ -3237,12 +3237,10 @@ CURLMcode curl_multi_setopt(CURLM *m,
     break;
   case CURLMOPT_NETWORK_CHANGED: {
       long val = va_arg(param, long);
-      if(val >= 2) {
-        /* clear DNS cache */
+      if(val & CURLM_NWCOPT_CLEAR_DNS) {
         Curl_dnscache_clear(multi->admin);
       }
-      if(val >= 1) {
-        /* do not reuse existing connections */
+      if(val & CURLM_NWCOPT_CLEAR_CONNS) {
         Curl_cpool_nw_changed(multi->admin);
       }
     break;
diff --git a/tests/libtest/lib3033.c b/tests/libtest/lib3033.c
index 6ef25c3de2..433b4d9f6c 100644
--- a/tests/libtest/lib3033.c
+++ b/tests/libtest/lib3033.c
@@ -36,7 +36,8 @@ static CURLcode t3033_req_test(CURLM *multi, CURL *easy,
   int still_running = 0;
 
   if(index == 1) {
-    curl_multi_setopt(multi, CURLMOPT_NETWORK_CHANGED, 1L);
+    curl_multi_setopt(multi, CURLMOPT_NETWORK_CHANGED,
+                      CURLM_NWCOPT_CLEAR_CONNS);
     curl_mprintf("[1] signal network change\n");
   }
   else {