diff --git a/compilers.py b/compilers.py
index ee5cc1013..78da48674 100644
--- a/compilers.py
+++ b/compilers.py
@@ -156,6 +156,9 @@ class Compiler():
     def compiles(self, code):
         raise EnvironmentException('Language %s does not support compile checks.' % self.language)
 
+    def links(self, code):
+        raise EnvironmentException('Language %s does not support link checks.' % self.language)
+
     def run(self, code):
         raise EnvironmentException('Language %s does not support run checks.' % self.language)
 
diff --git a/interpreter.py b/interpreter.py
index 9d57136fd..9e8aa7c3d 100644
--- a/interpreter.py
+++ b/interpreter.py
@@ -680,11 +680,12 @@ class CompilerHolder(InterpreterObject):
         if len(args) != 1:
             raise InterpreterException('compiles method takes exactly one argument.')
         check_stringlist(args)
-        string = args[0]
+        code = args[0]
         testname = kwargs.get('name', '')
         if not isinstance(testname, str):
             raise InterpreterException('Testname argument must be a string.')
-        result = self.compiler.compiles(string)
+        args = mesonlib.stringlistify(kwargs.get('args', []))
+        result = self.compiler.compiles(code, args)
         if len(testname) > 0:
             if result:
                 h = mlog.green('YES')
@@ -697,13 +698,12 @@ class CompilerHolder(InterpreterObject):
         if len(args) != 1:
             raise InterpreterException('links method takes exactly one argument.')
         check_stringlist(args)
-        string = args[0]
+        code = args[0]
         testname = kwargs.get('name', '')
         if not isinstance(testname, str):
             raise InterpreterException('Testname argument must be a string.')
-        args = kwargs.get('args', [])
-        args = mesonlib.stringlistify(args)
-        result = self.compiler.links(string, args)
+        args = mesonlib.stringlistify(kwargs.get('args', []))
+        result = self.compiler.links(code, args)
         if len(testname) > 0:
             if result:
                 h = mlog.green('YES')