diff --git a/packages/nuxt/src/app/components/nuxt-link.ts b/packages/nuxt/src/app/components/nuxt-link.ts
index aa50e11e09..814df1658e 100644
--- a/packages/nuxt/src/app/components/nuxt-link.ts
+++ b/packages/nuxt/src/app/components/nuxt-link.ts
@@ -506,9 +506,9 @@ function useObserver (): { observe: ObserveFn } | undefined {
     observer.observe(element)
     return () => {
       callbacks.delete(element)
-      observer!.unobserve(element)
+      observer?.unobserve(element)
       if (callbacks.size === 0) {
-        observer!.disconnect()
+        observer?.disconnect()
         observer = null
       }
     }