trying to add dropdowns to edit blades - adjunctadditions mkIV

resources/views/adjunctadditions/edit.blade.php

@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
             <div class="form-group">
               <label for="alternative">Alternative</label>
               <select class="form-control" name="alternative">
-                <option value="" {{ !($adjunct->alternative) ? 'selected="selected"'}}>None suggested</option>
+                <option value="" {{ $adjunct->alternative == null ? 'selected="selected"'}}>None suggested</option>
                   @foreach ($adjuncts as $adjunct)
                       <option value="{{$adjunct->id}}" {{ $selected_alt == $adjunct->alternative ? 'selected="selected"' : '' }}>{{$adjunct->name}}</option>
                   @endforeach