diff --git a/lib/kamal/cli/build.rb b/lib/kamal/cli/build.rb
index 379fd12a1..3b64e89be 100644
--- a/lib/kamal/cli/build.rb
+++ b/lib/kamal/cli/build.rb
@@ -112,9 +112,11 @@ def verify_local_dependencies
 
     def connect_to_remote_host(remote_host)
       remote_uri = URI.parse(remote_host)
-      options = { user: remote_uri.user, port: remote_uri.port }.compact
-      on(remote_uri.host, options) do
-        execute "true"
+      if remote_uri.scheme == "ssh"
+        options = { user: remote_uri.user, port: remote_uri.port }.compact
+        on(remote_uri.host, options) do
+          execute "true"
+        end
       end
     end
 end