diff --git a/core/server/models/user.js b/core/server/models/user.js
index 8039e90736..0dd2f73fed 100644
--- a/core/server/models/user.js
+++ b/core/server/models/user.js
@@ -849,7 +849,7 @@ User = ghostBookshelf.Model.extend({
                 resolve(userData);
             }
 
-            request({url: gravatarUrl, timeout: 2000}, function (err, response) {
+            request({url: 'http:' + gravatarUrl, timeout: 2000}, function (err, response) {
                 if (err) {
                     // just resolve with no image url
                     resolve(userData);