diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b0686edd1..f13420804 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ version and build that automatically. This behavior is controlled via the
 `USE_EXTERNAL_CATCH2` cmake variable. It defaults to `AUTO` but can also be set
 to `ON` or `OFF` to fully control the desired behavior.
 
-### Python > 3.6
+### Python >= 3.8
 
 Check your Python version by doing:
 
diff --git a/python/podio_gen/cpp_generator.py b/python/podio_gen/cpp_generator.py
index 398546c9a..980e92383 100644
--- a/python/podio_gen/cpp_generator.py
+++ b/python/podio_gen/cpp_generator.py
@@ -99,8 +99,8 @@ def post_process(self, datamodel):
             self._prepare_iorules()
             self._create_selection_xml()
 
-        if datamodel["links"]:
-            self._write_links_registration_file(datamodel["links"])
+        if the_links := datamodel["links"]:
+            self._write_links_registration_file(the_links)
         self._write_all_collections_header()
         self._write_cmake_lists_file()