diff --git a/src/commands/link/check.rs b/src/commands/link/check.rs
index b13f869..868b7d9 100644
--- a/src/commands/link/check.rs
+++ b/src/commands/link/check.rs
@@ -53,10 +53,19 @@ pub fn check(
 
 fn print_porcelain(exposed: &[Exposed], null: bool) {
     let end = if null { '\0' } else { '\n' };
+    // a filename can hold an arrow but not a NUL, so -z separates the two paths
+    // with one the way `git status -z` does for a rename. the two character code
+    // stays where it is: it cannot be mistaken for part of a path
+    let between = if null { "\0" } else { " -> " };
 
     for item in exposed {
         match &item.dest {
-            Some(dest) => text!("{} {} -> {}{end}", item.code(), item.name, dest.display()),
+            Some(dest) => text!(
+                "{} {}{between}{}{end}",
+                item.code(),
+                item.name,
+                dest.display()
+            ),
             None => text!("{} {}{end}", item.code(), item.name),
         }
     }