diff --git a/src/fuse_link.cpp b/src/fuse_link.cpp
index 32776a48..594fa275 100644
--- a/src/fuse_link.cpp
+++ b/src/fuse_link.cpp
@@ -251,6 +251,8 @@ _link_exdev_abs_base_symlink(const fuse_req_ctx_t *ctx_,
   rv = openPolicy_(ibranches_,oldpath_,obranches);
   if(rv < 0)
     return rv;
+  if(obranches.empty())
+    return -ENOENT;
 
   target = obranches[0]->path / oldpath_;