diff --git a/src/borg/helpers/parseformat.py b/src/borg/helpers/parseformat.py
index f4d028bd72..3d70317571 100644
--- a/src/borg/helpers/parseformat.py
+++ b/src/borg/helpers/parseformat.py
@@ -619,7 +619,7 @@ def canonical_path(self):
             return "{}://{}{}{}{}".format(
                 self.proto if self.proto else "???",
                 f"{self.user}@" if self.user else "",
-                self._host,  # needed for ipv6 addrs
+                self._host if self._host else "",  # needed for ipv6 addrs
                 f":{self.port}" if self.port else "",
                 path,
             )