# CMP0016

`target_link_libraries()` reports error if its only argument is not a target.

In CMake 2.8.2 and lower the `target_link_libraries()` command silently ignored if it was called with only one argument, and this argument wasn’t a valid target. In CMake 2.8.3 and above it reports an error in this case.

This policy was introduced in CMake version 2.8.3. CMake version 3.18.0-rc4 warns when the policy is not set and uses `OLD` behavior. Use the `cmake_policy()` command to set it to `OLD` or `NEW` explicitly.

Note

The `OLD` behavior of a policy is `deprecated by definition` and may be removed in a future version of CMake.