diff --git a/lib/runtime/helpers/index.js b/lib/runtime/helpers/index.js
index 519dacf4..82019435 100644
--- a/lib/runtime/helpers/index.js
+++ b/lib/runtime/helpers/index.js
@@ -159,7 +159,12 @@ export const createUrl =
     (fragment, router) =>
     /** @type {UrlFromString} */
     (pathOrNode, userParams = {}, options = {}) => {
-        let _inputPath = typeof pathOrNode === 'string' ? pathOrNode : pathOrNode?.path
+        let _inputPath =
+            typeof pathOrNode === 'string'
+                ? pathOrNode
+                : pathOrNode === null
+                ? '$leaf'
+                : pathOrNode?.path
         const route = fragment.route
 
         // in case we swapped the routes tree (rootNode), make sure we find