diff --git a/lib/thor/actions.rb b/lib/thor/actions.rb
index 552eb135c..bc8d56ffc 100644
--- a/lib/thor/actions.rb
+++ b/lib/thor/actions.rb
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ def apply(path, config = {})
 
       contents = if is_uri
         require "open-uri"
-        open(path, "Accept" => "application/x-thor-template", &:read)
+        URI.open(path, "Accept" => "application/x-thor-template", &:read)
       else
         open(path, &:read)
       end
diff --git a/spec/actions_spec.rb b/spec/actions_spec.rb
index 47416e148..904881ce9 100644
--- a/spec/actions_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/actions_spec.rb
@@ -231,13 +231,17 @@ def file
 
     it "accepts a URL as the path" do
       @file = "http://gist.github.com/103208.txt"
-      expect(runner).to receive(:open).with(@file, "Accept" => "application/x-thor-template").and_return(@template)
+      stub_request(:get, @file)
+
+      expect(runner).to receive(:apply).with(@file).and_return(@template)
       action(:apply, @file)
     end
 
     it "accepts a secure URL as the path" do
       @file = "https://gist.github.com/103208.txt"
-      expect(runner).to receive(:open).with(@file, "Accept" => "application/x-thor-template").and_return(@template)
+      stub_request(:get, @file)
+
+      expect(runner).to receive(:apply).with(@file).and_return(@template)
       action(:apply, @file)
     end