trying to add dropdowns to edit blades - adjunctadditions mkV

resources/views/adjunctadditions/edit.blade.php

@@ -43,9 +43,9 @@
             <div class="form-group">
               <label for="alternative">Alternative</label>
               <select class="form-control" name="alternative">
-                <option value="" @if($adjunct->alternative == null)selected="selected" @endif>None suggested</option>
+                <option value="" @if (is_null($adjunct->alternative) selected="selected" @endif>None suggested</option>
                   @foreach ($adjuncts as $adjunct)
-                      <option value="{{$adjunct->id}}" {{ $selected_alt == $adjunct->alternative ? 'selected="selected"' : '' }}>{{$adjunct->name}}</option>
+                      <option value="{{$adjunct->id}}" {{ !(is_null($adjunct->alternative)) & $selected_alt == $adjunct->alternative ? 'selected="selected"' : '' }}>{{$adjunct->name}}</option>
                   @endforeach
               </select>
             </div>