diff --git a/core/src/org/labkey/core/CoreMcp.java b/core/src/org/labkey/core/CoreMcp.java
index fecba61406d..fa18a2a55c1 100644
--- a/core/src/org/labkey/core/CoreMcp.java
+++ b/core/src/org/labkey/core/CoreMcp.java
@@ -103,14 +103,14 @@ String setContainer(ToolContext context, @ToolParam(description = "Container pat
 
         Container container = ContainerManager.getForPath(containerPath);
 
-        if (null == container)
+        if (null == container && (containerPath.startsWith("http://") || containerPath.startsWith("https://")))
         {
             try
             {
                 var url = new ActionURL(containerPath);
                 container = ContainerManager.getForURL(url);
             }
-            catch (IllegalArgumentException x)
+            catch (IllegalArgumentException _)
             {
             }
         }