diff --git a/source/menu/menu_download.cpp b/source/menu/menu_download.cpp
index 3f7af381..fbf4bd4e 100644
--- a/source/menu/menu_download.cpp
+++ b/source/menu/menu_download.cpp
@@ -119,7 +119,8 @@ static string countryCode(const string &gameId)
 static string makeURL(const string format, const string gameId, const string country)
 {
 	string url = format;
-	url.replace(url.find(TAG_LOC), strlen(TAG_LOC), country.c_str());
+	if (url.find(TAG_LOC) == 0) //check if {loc} is in the URL before trying to replace it
+		url.replace(url.find(TAG_LOC), strlen(TAG_LOC), country.c_str());
 	url.replace(url.find(TAG_GAME_ID), strlen(TAG_GAME_ID), gameId.c_str());
 
 	return url;