diff --git a/dotdrop/cfg_yaml.py b/dotdrop/cfg_yaml.py
index 67eb2c7..7a8b528 100644
--- a/dotdrop/cfg_yaml.py
+++ b/dotdrop/cfg_yaml.py
@@ -358,7 +358,8 @@ class CfgYaml:
                 new[k] = v
             # apply link value
             if self.key_dotfile_link not in v:
-                v[self.key_dotfile_link] = self.settings[self.key_settings_link_dotfile_default]
+                val = self.settings[self.key_settings_link_dotfile_default]
+                v[self.key_dotfile_link] = val
         return new
 
     def _get_variables_dict(self, profile, seen, sub=False):