diff --git a/lib/rucio/core/transfer.py b/lib/rucio/core/transfer.py
index 3bfcdbab74..556d16c1e3 100644
--- a/lib/rucio/core/transfer.py
+++ b/lib/rucio/core/transfer.py
@@ -230,7 +230,8 @@ def _generate_dest_url(cls, dst: TransferDestination, rws: RequestWithSources, p
             dsn = get_dsn(rws.scope, rws.name, rws.attributes.get('dsn', None))
             # DQ2 path always starts with /, but prefix might not end with /
             naming_convention = dst.rse.attributes.get(RseAttr.NAMING_CONVENTION, None)
-            dest_path = construct_surl(dsn, rws.scope.external, rws.name, naming_convention)
+            if rws.scope.external is not None:
+                dest_path = construct_surl(dsn, rws.scope.external, rws.name, naming_convention)
             if dst.rse.is_tape():
                 if rws.retry_count or rws.activity == 'Recovery':
                     dest_path = '%s_%i' % (dest_path, int(time.time()))