diff --git a/r2/r2/lib/utils/utils.py b/r2/r2/lib/utils/utils.py
index 282a283e5..96d9d81de 100644
--- a/r2/r2/lib/utils/utils.py
+++ b/r2/r2/lib/utils/utils.py
@@ -314,6 +314,9 @@ def sanitize_url(url, require_scheme = False):
     False' is set, the url is returned with scheme 'http', provided it
     otherwise validates"""
 
+    if not url:
+        return
+
     url = url.strip()
     if url.lower() == 'self':
         return url