diff --git a/pkg/imagescan/imagescan.go b/pkg/imagescan/imagescan.go
index 71cc90fd..a15673d7 100644
--- a/pkg/imagescan/imagescan.go
+++ b/pkg/imagescan/imagescan.go
@@ -48,10 +48,14 @@ func NewDefaultDBConfig(grypeURL string) (distribution.Config, installation.Conf
 	finalURL := defaultGrypeListingURL
 	if grypeURL != "" {
 		parsed, err := url.ParseRequestURI(grypeURL)
-		if err != nil || parsed.Host == "" {
+		if err != nil {
 			return distribution.Config{}, installation.Config{}, false, err
 		}
 
+		if parsed.Host == "" {
+			return distribution.Config{}, installation.Config{}, false, fmt.Errorf("invalid grype DB URL: missing host")
+		}
+
 		if parsed.Scheme != "https" && parsed.Scheme != "http" {
 			return distribution.Config{}, installation.Config{}, false, fmt.Errorf("invalid scheme: %s", parsed.Scheme)
 		}