diff --git a/config/aliases.nu b/config/aliases.nu
index 6dc92b0..cb752b5 100644
--- a/config/aliases.nu
+++ b/config/aliases.nu
@@ -34,13 +34,13 @@ def _ls_format_mode [mode: string] {
 
 # quick and easy ls
 def ls [dir?: string] {
-    let output = _ls (if $dir == null { "" } else { $dir }) | sort-by type name -i
+    let output = (if $dir == null { _ls } else { _ls $dir }) | sort-by type name -i
     if ($output | length) == 0 { "" | cat } else { $output | grid -c -s "  " | cat }
 }
 
 # ls with hidden files
 def la [dir?: string] {
-    _ls -al (if $dir == null { "" } else { $dir })
+    (if $dir == null { _ls -al  } else { _ls -al $dir })
         | sort-by type name -i
         | each { $in | update mode (_ls_format_mode $in.mode) }
         | select mode name target user size modified
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ def la [dir?: string] {
 
 # ls with details
 def ll [dir?: string] {
-    _ls -l (if $dir == null { "" } else { $dir })
+    (if $dir == null { _ls -l } else { _ls -l })
         | each { $in | update mode (_ls_format_mode $in.mode) }
         | sort-by type name -i
         | select mode name target user size modified
diff --git a/env.nu b/env.nu
index 8f3d40a..8f4d99f 100644
--- a/env.nu
+++ b/env.nu
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ def create_left_prompt [] {
         ""
     }
 
-    let sudo_compromised = if not (which sudo | get path.0) == "/usr/bin/sudo" {
+    let sudo_compromised = if not ((which sudo | get path.0) == "/usr/bin/sudo") {
         (ansi red_bold) + " ‹sudo compromised›" + (ansi reset)
     } else {
         ""