diff --git a/nselib/http.lua b/nselib/http.lua
index 867048f22..ee7402d6a 100644
--- a/nselib/http.lua
+++ b/nselib/http.lua
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ request = function( host, port, data, options )
   options = options or {}
 
   if type(host) == 'table' then
-    host = host.targetname or host.ip
+    host = host.ip
   end
 
   local protocol = 'tcp'