diff --git a/lib/index.js b/lib/index.js
index f28830e..0c82107 100644
--- a/lib/index.js
+++ b/lib/index.js
@@ -48,7 +48,13 @@ module.exports = {
 
     let self = this;
     // maintaining `baseURL` for backwards compatibility. See: http://emberjs.com/blog/2016/04/28/baseURL.html
-    let baseURL = options.liveReloadBaseUrl || options.rootURL || options.baseURL;
+    let baseURL = options.liveReloadBaseUrl ?? options.rootURL ?? options.baseURL;
+
+    // express requires absolute paths
+    if (baseURL === '') {
+      baseURL = '/';
+    }
+
     if (this.parent) {
       let checker = new VersionChecker(this.parent);
       let depedency = checker.for('ember-cli');