diff --git a/src/wp-includes/blocks/categories.php b/src/wp-includes/blocks/categories.php
index 37d58a1a7e..d58783b5df 100644
--- a/src/wp-includes/blocks/categories.php
+++ b/src/wp-includes/blocks/categories.php
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ function build_dropdown_script_block_core_categories( $dropdown_id ) {
 		var dropdown = document.getElementById( '<?php echo esc_js( $dropdown_id ); ?>' );
 		function onCatChange() {
 			if ( dropdown.options[ dropdown.selectedIndex ].value > 0 ) {
-				location.href = "<?php echo home_url(); ?>/?cat=" + dropdown.options[ dropdown.selectedIndex ].value;
+				location.href = "<?php echo esc_url( home_url() ); ?>/?cat=" + dropdown.options[ dropdown.selectedIndex ].value;
 			}
 		}
 		dropdown.onchange = onCatChange;