diff --git a/airflow/operators/latest_only_operator.py b/airflow/operators/latest_only_operator.py
index 49ba2a339533c..8b4e614f4484b 100644
--- a/airflow/operators/latest_only_operator.py
+++ b/airflow/operators/latest_only_operator.py
@@ -32,6 +32,13 @@ class LatestOnlyOperator(BaseOperator):
     ui_color = '#e9ffdb'  # nyanza
 
     def execute(self, context):
+        # If the DAG Run is externally triggered, then return without
+        # skipping downstream tasks
+        if context['dag_run'].external_trigger:
+            logging.info("""Externally triggered DAG_Run:
+                         allowing execution to proceed.""")
+            return
+
         now = datetime.datetime.now()
         left_window = context['dag'].following_schedule(
             context['execution_date'])