diff --git a/lib/galaxy/config/sample/tool_shed.yml.sample b/lib/galaxy/config/sample/tool_shed.yml.sample
index af9726e851ba..bf16f6bfabab 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/config/sample/tool_shed.yml.sample
+++ b/lib/galaxy/config/sample/tool_shed.yml.sample
@@ -15,6 +15,10 @@ tool_shed:
   # installation directory.
   #hgweb_config_dir: null
 
+  # Default URL prefix for repositories served via hgweb. If running an
+  # external hgweb server you should set this to an empty string.
+  #hgweb_repo_prefix: repos/
+
   # Allow pushing directly to mercurial repositories directly and
   # without authentication.
   #config_hg_for_dev: null
diff --git a/lib/galaxy/config/schemas/tool_shed_config_schema.yml b/lib/galaxy/config/schemas/tool_shed_config_schema.yml
index 780d35afe05f..42ea164d9d5f 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/config/schemas/tool_shed_config_schema.yml
+++ b/lib/galaxy/config/schemas/tool_shed_config_schema.yml
@@ -31,6 +31,14 @@ mapping:
           Where the hgweb.config file is stored.
           The default is the Galaxy installation directory.
 
+      hgweb_repo_prefix:
+        type: str
+        required: false
+        default: repos/
+        desc: |
+          Default URL prefix for repositories served via hgweb.
+          If running an external hgweb server you should set this to an empty string.
+
       config_hg_for_dev:
         type: str
         required: false
diff --git a/lib/tool_shed/util/hgweb_config.py b/lib/tool_shed/util/hgweb_config.py
index f39d9abcc3d3..8c1656406b0f 100644
--- a/lib/tool_shed/util/hgweb_config.py
+++ b/lib/tool_shed/util/hgweb_config.py
@@ -19,11 +19,11 @@ class HgWebConfigManager:
     def __init__(self):
         self.hgweb_config_dir = None
         self.in_memory_config = None
+        self.lock = threading.Lock()
 
     def add_entry(self, lhs, rhs):
         """Add an entry in the hgweb.config file for a new repository."""
-        lock = threading.Lock()
-        lock.acquire(True)
+        self.lock.acquire(True)
         try:
             # Since we're changing the config, make sure the latest is loaded into memory.
             self.read_config(force_read=True)
@@ -38,12 +38,11 @@ def add_entry(self, lhs, rhs):
         except Exception as e:
             log.debug("Exception in HgWebConfigManager.add_entry(): %s", unicodify(e))
         finally:
-            lock.release()
+            self.lock.release()
 
     def change_entry(self, old_lhs, new_lhs, new_rhs):
         """Change an entry in the hgweb.config file for a repository - this only happens when the owner changes the name of the repository."""
-        lock = threading.Lock()
-        lock.acquire(True)
+        self.lock.acquire(True)
         try:
             self.make_backup()
             # Remove the old entry.
@@ -55,7 +54,7 @@ def change_entry(self, old_lhs, new_lhs, new_rhs):
         except Exception as e:
             log.debug("Exception in HgWebConfigManager.change_entry(): %s", unicodify(e))
         finally:
-            lock.release()
+            self.lock.release()
 
     def get_entry(self, lhs):
         """Return an entry in the hgweb.config file for a repository"""
diff --git a/lib/tool_shed/util/repository_util.py b/lib/tool_shed/util/repository_util.py
index ea8b33d0e372..4acfd2bb7330 100644
--- a/lib/tool_shed/util/repository_util.py
+++ b/lib/tool_shed/util/repository_util.py
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ def create_repository(
     # Create the local repository.
     init_repository(repo_path=repository_path)
     # Add an entry in the hgweb.config file for the local repository.
-    lhs = f"repos/{repository.user.username}/{repository.name}"
+    lhs = f"{app.config.hgweb_repo_prefix}{repository.user.username}/{repository.name}"
     app.hgweb_config_manager.add_entry(lhs, repository_path)
     # Create a .hg/hgrc file for the local repository.
     create_hgrc_file(app, repository)