diff --git a/web/packages/new/photos/components/DevSettings.tsx b/web/packages/new/photos/components/DevSettings.tsx
index 387e4c3073..8d93945951 100644
--- a/web/packages/new/photos/components/DevSettings.tsx
+++ b/web/packages/new/photos/components/DevSettings.tsx
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import { apiOrigin } from "@ente/shared/network/api";
 import InfoOutlinedIcon from "@mui/icons-material/InfoOutlined";
 import {
     Dialog,
@@ -41,6 +42,14 @@ export const DevSettings: React.FC<DevSettingsProps> = ({ open, onClose }) => {
         initialValues: {
             apiOrigin: localStorage.getItem("apiOrigin") ?? "",
         },
+        validate: ({ apiOrigin }) => {
+            try {
+                new URL(apiOrigin);
+            } catch {
+                return { apiOrigin: "Invalid endpoint" };
+            }
+            return {};
+        },
         onSubmit: async (values, { setSubmitting, setErrors }) => {
             try {
                 await updateAPIOrigin(values.apiOrigin);