diff --git a/gnu/home-services/symlink-manager.scm b/gnu/home-services/symlink-manager.scm
index dc409d2ae2..11f5d503d4 100644
--- a/gnu/home-services/symlink-manager.scm
+++ b/gnu/home-services/symlink-manager.scm
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ (define ((file-tree-traverse preordering) node)
                                          (number->string (current-time))
                                          "-guix-home-legacy-configs-backup"))
 
-              (old-tree (if (file-exists? old-home)
+              (old-tree (if old-home
                           ((simplify-file-tree "")
                            (file-system-tree
                             (string-append old-home "/files/.")))