diff --git a/packages/@uppy/companion/src/server/controllers/url.js b/packages/@uppy/companion/src/server/controllers/url.js
index c04a9f1db..4bc41b1a9 100644
--- a/packages/@uppy/companion/src/server/controllers/url.js
+++ b/packages/@uppy/companion/src/server/controllers/url.js
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ const validateURL = (url, debug) => {
   }
 
   const parsed = utils.parseURL(url)
-  if (!validator.isFQDN(parsed.hostname, { require_tld: !debug })) {
+  if (!debug && !validator.isFQDN(parsed.hostname, { require_tld: !debug })) {
     return false
   }