diff --git a/d2compiler/compile.go b/d2compiler/compile.go
index 4d83c5cf9..157500317 100644
--- a/d2compiler/compile.go
+++ b/d2compiler/compile.go
@@ -71,7 +71,6 @@ func (c *compiler) compileBoard(g *d2graph.Graph, ir *d2ir.Map) *d2graph.Graph {
 	c.compileBoardsField(g, ir, "layers")
 	c.compileBoardsField(g, ir, "scenarios")
 	c.compileBoardsField(g, ir, "steps")
-
 	if d2ir.ParentMap(ir).CopyBase(nil).Equal(ir.CopyBase(nil)) {
 		if len(g.Layers) > 0 || len(g.Scenarios) > 0 || len(g.Steps) > 0 {
 			g.IsFolderOnly = true
@@ -719,7 +718,7 @@ func (c *compiler) validateNear(g *d2graph.Graph) {
 
 func (c *compiler) validateBoardLink(g *d2graph.Graph, ir *d2ir.Map) {
 	for _, obj := range g.Objects {
-		if obj.Attributes.Link.Value == "" {
+		if obj.Attributes.Link == nil {
 			continue
 		}