diff --git a/core/cat/utils.py b/core/cat/utils.py
index 0ccb5aec..d9c806f5 100644
--- a/core/cat/utils.py
+++ b/core/cat/utils.py
@@ -82,9 +82,7 @@ def verbal_timedelta(td: timedelta) -> str:
 
 def get_base_url():
     """Allows exposing the base url."""
-    secure = get_env("CCAT_CORE_USE_SECURE_PROTOCOLS")
-    if secure not in ["", "false", "0"]:
-        secure = "s"
+    secure = "s" if get_env("CCAT_CORE_USE_SECURE_PROTOCOLS") in ("true", "1") else ""
     cat_host = get_env("CCAT_CORE_HOST")
     cat_port = get_env("CCAT_CORE_PORT")
     return f"http{secure}://{cat_host}:{cat_port}/"
diff --git a/core/tests/test_cat_utils.py b/core/tests/test_cat_utils.py
index e64f4673..a7824824 100644
--- a/core/tests/test_cat_utils.py
+++ b/core/tests/test_cat_utils.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import os
 import pytest
 
 from cat import utils
@@ -5,6 +6,13 @@
 
 def test_get_base_url():
     assert utils.get_base_url() == "http://localhost:1865/"
+     # test when CCAT_CORE_USE_SECURE_PROTOCOLS is set
+    os.environ["CCAT_CORE_USE_SECURE_PROTOCOLS"] = "1"
+    assert utils.get_base_url() == "https://localhost:1865/"
+    os.environ["CCAT_CORE_USE_SECURE_PROTOCOLS"] = "0"
+    assert utils.get_base_url() == "http://localhost:1865/"
+    os.environ["CCAT_CORE_USE_SECURE_PROTOCOLS"] = ""
+    assert utils.get_base_url() == "http://localhost:1865/"
 
 
 def test_get_base_path():