diff --git a/libp2p/protocol_muxer/multiselect_communicator.py b/libp2p/protocol_muxer/multiselect_communicator.py
index d7e0dd50..0c5b3fa0 100644
--- a/libp2p/protocol_muxer/multiselect_communicator.py
+++ b/libp2p/protocol_muxer/multiselect_communicator.py
@@ -8,19 +8,24 @@ class MultiselectCommunicator(IMultiselectCommunicator):
     which is necessary for them to work
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, stream):
-        self.stream = stream
+    def __init__(self, reader_writer):
+        """
+        MultistreamCommunicator expects a reader_writer object that has
+        an async read and an async write function (this could be a stream,
+        raw connection, or other object implementing those functions)
+        """
+        self.reader_writer = reader_writer
 
     async def write(self, msg_str):
         """
-        Write message to stream
+        Write message to reader_writer
         :param msg_str: message to write
         """
-        await self.stream.write(msg_str.encode())
+        await self.reader_writer.write(msg_str.encode())
 
     async def read_stream_until_eof(self):
         """
-        Reads message from stream until EOF
+        Reads message from reader_writer until EOF
         """
-        read_str = (await self.stream.read()).decode()
+        read_str = (await self.reader_writer.read()).decode()
         return read_str