diff --git a/meta/classes/cve-check.bbclass b/meta/classes/cve-check.bbclass
index badfee550c..6b8376bf17 100644
--- a/meta/classes/cve-check.bbclass
+++ b/meta/classes/cve-check.bbclass
@@ -270,13 +270,14 @@ python cve_check_write_rootfs_manifest () {
     d.setVar("PN", save_pn)
 
     if enable_text:
-        link_path = os.path.join(deploy_dir, "%s.cve" % link_name)
         manifest_name = d.getVar("CVE_CHECK_MANIFEST")
 
         with open(manifest_name, "w") as f:
             f.write(text_data)
 
-        update_symlinks(manifest_name, link_path)
+        if link_name:
+            link_path = os.path.join(deploy_dir, "%s.cve" % link_name)
+            update_symlinks(manifest_name, link_path)
         bb.plain("Image CVE report stored in: %s" % manifest_name)
 
     if enable_json: