diff --git a/src/lib.rs b/src/lib.rs
index cdb44f2..c74b033 100644
--- a/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/lib.rs
@@ -665,10 +665,15 @@ impl<'a> Exporter<'a> {
                     .unwrap_or_else(|| context.current_file().to_str().unwrap()),
                 context.current_file().display(),
             );
+            let dummy_link_tag = pulldown_cmark::Tag::Link(
+                pulldown_cmark::LinkType::Inline,
+                CowStr::from(""),
+                CowStr::from(""),
+            );
             return vec![
-                Event::Start(Tag::Emphasis),
+                Event::Start(dummy_link_tag.clone()),
                 Event::Text(CowStr::from(reference.display())),
-                Event::End(Tag::Emphasis),
+                Event::End(dummy_link_tag.clone()),
             ];
         }
         let target_file = target_file.unwrap();
diff --git a/tests/testdata/expected/single-file/note.md b/tests/testdata/expected/single-file/note.md
index 5777bff..32f6149 100644
--- a/tests/testdata/expected/single-file/note.md
+++ b/tests/testdata/expected/single-file/note.md
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
-Link to *other-note*.
+Link to [other-note]().
 
-Link to *another note*.
+Link to [another note]().