diff --git a/Src/Cdunifmodule.c b/Src/Cdunifmodule.c
index 400ba4f9..f5f3ba83 100644
--- a/Src/Cdunifmodule.c
+++ b/Src/Cdunifmodule.c
@@ -535,7 +535,9 @@ static int cdopen(const char* controlpath, int ncmode, CuFileType *filetype) {
 		/* Take care for mode flag */
 		if ((cdms_classic == 0) || (cdms_shuffle != 0) || (cdms_deflate != 0)
 				|| (cdms_netcdf4 == 1)) {
-			ncmode = ncmode | NC_NETCDF4;
+		    if(strstr(controlpath, "http") == NULL){
+		        ncmode = ncmode | NC_NETCDF4;
+		    }
 		}
 #ifdef PARALLEL
 		/* ok we can only use MPIIO if not using shuffle or deflate for reason