# 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 3.19.1 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.