diff --git a/apps/dc_tools/odc/apps/dc_tools/_stac.py b/apps/dc_tools/odc/apps/dc_tools/_stac.py
index 6793c9544..8ed722dbd 100644
--- a/apps/dc_tools/odc/apps/dc_tools/_stac.py
+++ b/apps/dc_tools/odc/apps/dc_tools/_stac.py
@@ -183,8 +183,17 @@ def _get_relative_path(asset_href, self_link):
     if self_link is None:
         return asset_href
 
-    self_path = urlparse(self_link).path
-    href_path = urlparse(asset_href).path
+    self_parsed = urlparse(self_link)
+    href_parsed = urlparse(asset_href)
+
+    # keep as an absolute link if scheme or netloc differ
+    if self_parsed.scheme != href_parsed.scheme:
+        return asset_href
+    if self_parsed.netloc != href_parsed.netloc:
+        return asset_href
+
+    self_path = self_parsed.path
+    href_path = href_parsed.path
 
     try:
         return str(Path(href_path).relative_to(Path(self_path).parent))