adds @bram1028's suggestion

_layouts/default.html

@@ -44,11 +44,11 @@ layout: table_wrappers
             <ul class="list-style-none text-small aux-nav">
               {% for link in site.aux_links %}
                 <li class="d-inline-block my-0{% unless forloop.last %} mr-2{% endunless %}">
-                  {% if site.aux_links_new_tab %}
-                  <a href="{{ link.last }}" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">
-                  {% else %}
-                  <a href="{{ link.last }}">
-                  {% endif %}
+                  <a href="{{ link.last }}"
+                    {% if site.aux_links_new_tab %} 
+                    target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"
+                    {% endif %}
+                  >
                     {{ link.first }}
                   </a>
                 </li>