diff --git a/django/conf/urls/static.py b/django/conf/urls/static.py
index ff1942f..fb4ba0a 100644
--- a/django/conf/urls/static.py
+++ b/django/conf/urls/static.py
@@ -19,8 +19,6 @@ def static(prefix, view='django.views.static.serve', **kwargs):
         return []
     elif not prefix:
         raise ImproperlyConfigured("Empty static prefix not permitted")
-    elif '://' in prefix:
-        raise ImproperlyConfigured("URL '%s' not allowed as static prefix" % prefix)
     return patterns('',
         url(r'^%s(?P<path>.*)$' % re.escape(prefix.lstrip('/')), view, kwargs=kwargs),
     )