diff --git a/query/linkedql/registry_test.go b/query/linkedql/registry_test.go
index 51792a125..41ccf4a8c 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/registry_test.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/registry_test.go
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ var unmarshalCases = []struct {
 type TestStep struct {
 	Limit int        `json:"limit"`
 	Tags  []string   `json:"tags"`
-	From  PathStep   `json:"from"`
+	From  PathStep   `json:"from" minCardinality:"0"`
 	Sub   []PathStep `json:"sub"`
 }
 
diff --git a/query/linkedql/step_utils.go b/query/linkedql/step_utils.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..83db85088
--- /dev/null
+++ b/query/linkedql/step_utils.go
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+package linkedql
+
+import (
+	"github.com/cayleygraph/cayley/graph"
+	"github.com/cayleygraph/cayley/query/path"
+	"github.com/cayleygraph/quad/voc"
+)
+
+// BuildFromPath creates a path of a given from
+// In case from is nil defaults to placeholder
+func BuildFromPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces, from PathStep) (*path.Path, error) {
+	if from == nil {
+		return path.StartMorphism(), nil
+	}
+	fromPath, err := from.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return fromPath, nil
+}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/as.go b/query/linkedql/steps/as.go
index 032642d4e..4360bd68a 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/as.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/as.go
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func (s *As) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *As) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/back.go b/query/linkedql/steps/back.go
index 96d69d8a2..14d10520c 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/back.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/back.go
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func (s *Back) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *Back) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/both.go b/query/linkedql/steps/both.go
index d089df71e..ac8120600 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/both.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/both.go
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ var _ linkedql.PathStep = (*Both)(nil)
 
 // Both corresponds to .both().
 type Both struct {
-	From       linkedql.PathStep      `json:"from"`
+	From       linkedql.PathStep      `json:"from" minCardinality:"0"`
 	Properties *linkedql.PropertyPath `json:"properties"`
 }
 
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func (s *Both) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *Both) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/collect.go b/query/linkedql/steps/collect.go
index 5aee7d84c..8a68873f3 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/collect.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/collect.go
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ var (
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *Collect) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/count.go b/query/linkedql/steps/count.go
index e9762dbd1..ff9830b3d 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/count.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/count.go
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ var _ linkedql.PathStep = (*Count)(nil)
 
 // Count corresponds to .count().
 type Count struct {
-	From linkedql.PathStep `json:"from"`
+	From linkedql.PathStep `json:"from" minCardinality:"0"`
 }
 
 // Description implements Step.
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ func (s *Count) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *Count) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/difference.go b/query/linkedql/steps/difference.go
index 78c8eb115..60a03c30f 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/difference.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/difference.go
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func (s *Difference) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *Difference) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/greater_than.go b/query/linkedql/steps/greater_than.go
index 52cab333c..f2c5097e3 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/greater_than.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/greater_than.go
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ var _ linkedql.PathStep = (*GreaterThan)(nil)
 
 // GreaterThan corresponds to gt().
 type GreaterThan struct {
-	From  linkedql.PathStep `json:"from"`
+	From  linkedql.PathStep `json:"from" minCardinality:"0"`
 	Value quad.Value        `json:"value"`
 }
 
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ func (s *GreaterThan) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *GreaterThan) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/greater_than_equals.go b/query/linkedql/steps/greater_than_equals.go
index 50b36a9e5..46fe7c915 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/greater_than_equals.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/greater_than_equals.go
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ var _ linkedql.PathStep = (*GreaterThanEquals)(nil)
 
 // GreaterThanEquals corresponds to gte().
 type GreaterThanEquals struct {
-	From  linkedql.PathStep `json:"from"`
+	From  linkedql.PathStep `json:"from" minCardinality:"0"`
 	Value quad.Value        `json:"value"`
 }
 
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ func (s *GreaterThanEquals) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *GreaterThanEquals) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/has.go b/query/linkedql/steps/has.go
index d8b47a746..3ed0c16d3 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/has.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/has.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ var _ linkedql.PathStep = (*Has)(nil)
 
 // Has corresponds to .has().
 type Has struct {
-	From     linkedql.PathStep      `json:"from"`
+	From     linkedql.PathStep      `json:"from" minCardinality:"0"`
 	Property *linkedql.PropertyPath `json:"property"`
 	Values   []quad.Value           `json:"values"`
 }
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ func (s *Has) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *Has) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/has_reverse.go b/query/linkedql/steps/has_reverse.go
index 4ae5a6bce..d30c7d082 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/has_reverse.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/has_reverse.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ var _ linkedql.PathStep = (*HasReverse)(nil)
 
 // HasReverse corresponds to .hasR().
 type HasReverse struct {
-	From     linkedql.PathStep      `json:"from"`
+	From     linkedql.PathStep      `json:"from" minCardinality:"0"`
 	Property *linkedql.PropertyPath `json:"property"`
 	Values   []quad.Value           `json:"values"`
 }
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ func (s *HasReverse) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *HasReverse) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/intersect.go b/query/linkedql/steps/intersect.go
index 9e48671ff..2e63eb992 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/intersect.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/intersect.go
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func (s *Intersect) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *Intersect) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/labels.go b/query/linkedql/steps/labels.go
index 972f94c68..545173839 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/labels.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/labels.go
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ var _ linkedql.PathStep = (*Labels)(nil)
 
 // Labels corresponds to .labels().
 type Labels struct {
-	From linkedql.PathStep `json:"from"`
+	From linkedql.PathStep `json:"from" minCardinality:"0"`
 }
 
 // Description implements Step.
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ func (s *Labels) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *Labels) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/less_than.go b/query/linkedql/steps/less_than.go
index 32cbd82fd..6f55d3154 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/less_than.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/less_than.go
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ var _ linkedql.PathStep = (*LessThan)(nil)
 
 // LessThan corresponds to lt().
 type LessThan struct {
-	From  linkedql.PathStep `json:"from"`
+	From  linkedql.PathStep `json:"from" minCardinality:"0"`
 	Value quad.Value        `json:"value"`
 }
 
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ func (s *LessThan) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *LessThan) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/less_than_equals.go b/query/linkedql/steps/less_than_equals.go
index 65c02b469..e216970cc 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/less_than_equals.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/less_than_equals.go
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ var _ linkedql.PathStep = (*LessThanEquals)(nil)
 
 // LessThanEquals corresponds to lte().
 type LessThanEquals struct {
-	From  linkedql.PathStep `json:"from"`
+	From  linkedql.PathStep `json:"from" minCardinality:"0"`
 	Value quad.Value        `json:"value"`
 }
 
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ func (s *LessThanEquals) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *LessThanEquals) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/like.go b/query/linkedql/steps/like.go
index 875d944db..235550f0e 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/like.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/like.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ var _ linkedql.PathStep = (*Like)(nil)
 
 // Like corresponds to like().
 type Like struct {
-	From    linkedql.PathStep `json:"from"`
+	From    linkedql.PathStep `json:"from" minCardinality:"0"`
 	Pattern string            `json:"likePattern"`
 }
 
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ func (s *Like) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements PathStep.
 func (s *Like) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/limit.go b/query/linkedql/steps/limit.go
index 80627e738..c6161c382 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/limit.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/limit.go
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func (s *Limit) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *Limit) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/optional.go b/query/linkedql/steps/optional.go
index f8a18085e..3f8bff7fd 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/optional.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/optional.go
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ var _ linkedql.PathStep = (*Optional)(nil)
 
 // Optional corresponds to .optional().
 type Optional struct {
-	From linkedql.PathStep `json:"from"`
+	From linkedql.PathStep `json:"from" minCardinality:"0"`
 	Step linkedql.PathStep `json:"step"`
 }
 
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func (s *Optional) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *Optional) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/order.go b/query/linkedql/steps/order.go
index 5bb459d26..b962f7088 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/order.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/order.go
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ func (s *Order) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *Order) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/properties.go b/query/linkedql/steps/properties.go
index d98f90b0a..74c60766b 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/properties.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/properties.go
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ var _ linkedql.PathStep = (*Properties)(nil)
 
 // Properties corresponds to .properties().
 type Properties struct {
-	From  linkedql.PathStep      `json:"from"`
+	From  linkedql.PathStep      `json:"from" minCardinality:"0"`
 	Names *linkedql.PropertyPath `json:"names"`
 }
 
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ func resolveNames(names *linkedql.PropertyPath) (linkedql.PropertyIRIs, error) {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *Properties) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/property_names.go b/query/linkedql/steps/property_names.go
index c75b51a65..df3b7e895 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/property_names.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/property_names.go
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ var _ linkedql.PathStep = (*PropertyNames)(nil)
 
 // PropertyNames corresponds to .propertyNames().
 type PropertyNames struct {
-	From linkedql.PathStep `json:"from"`
+	From linkedql.PathStep `json:"from" minCardinality:"0"`
 }
 
 // Description implements Step.
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ func (s *PropertyNames) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *PropertyNames) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/property_names_as.go b/query/linkedql/steps/property_names_as.go
index f755b2486..1d625b722 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/property_names_as.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/property_names_as.go
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ var _ linkedql.PathStep = (*PropertyNamesAs)(nil)
 
 // PropertyNamesAs corresponds to .propertyNamesAs().
 type PropertyNamesAs struct {
-	From linkedql.PathStep `json:"from"`
+	From linkedql.PathStep `json:"from" minCardinality:"0"`
 	Tag  string            `json:"tag"`
 }
 
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func (s *PropertyNamesAs) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *PropertyNamesAs) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/regexp.go b/query/linkedql/steps/regexp.go
index ce277a3b9..0f9987a49 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/regexp.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/regexp.go
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ func (s *RegExp) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements PathStep.
 func (s *RegExp) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/reverse_properties.go b/query/linkedql/steps/reverse_properties.go
index 601eae8a5..d371cbd1c 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/reverse_properties.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/reverse_properties.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ var _ linkedql.PathStep = (*ReverseProperties)(nil)
 
 // ReverseProperties corresponds to .reverseProperties().
 type ReverseProperties struct {
-	From  linkedql.PathStep      `json:"from"`
+	From  linkedql.PathStep      `json:"from" minCardinality:"0"`
 	Names *linkedql.PropertyPath `json:"names"`
 }
 
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ func (s *ReverseProperties) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *ReverseProperties) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/reverse_property_names.go b/query/linkedql/steps/reverse_property_names.go
index 0c7dccd11..bdb9f8c1f 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/reverse_property_names.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/reverse_property_names.go
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ var _ linkedql.PathStep = (*ReversePropertyNames)(nil)
 
 // ReversePropertyNames corresponds to .reversePropertyNames().
 type ReversePropertyNames struct {
-	From linkedql.PathStep `json:"from"`
+	From linkedql.PathStep `json:"from" minCardinality:"0"`
 }
 
 // Description implements Step.
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ func (s *ReversePropertyNames) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *ReversePropertyNames) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/reverse_property_names_as.go b/query/linkedql/steps/reverse_property_names_as.go
index f30c74577..06475291a 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/reverse_property_names_as.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/reverse_property_names_as.go
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ var _ linkedql.PathStep = (*ReversePropertyNamesAs)(nil)
 
 // ReversePropertyNamesAs corresponds to .reversePropertyNamesAs().
 type ReversePropertyNamesAs struct {
-	From linkedql.PathStep `json:"from"`
+	From linkedql.PathStep `json:"from" minCardinality:"0"`
 	Tag  string            `json:"tag"`
 }
 
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func (s *ReversePropertyNamesAs) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *ReversePropertyNamesAs) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/skip.go b/query/linkedql/steps/skip.go
index 55e025be6..73e190244 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/skip.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/skip.go
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func (s *Skip) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *Skip) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/steps_final.go b/query/linkedql/steps/steps_final.go
index 8537369a8..377c933e3 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/steps_final.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/steps_final.go
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ var _ linkedql.IteratorStep = (*Select)(nil)
 
 // Select corresponds to .select().
 type Select struct {
+	From       linkedql.PathStep `json:"from" minCardinality:"0"`
 	Properties []string          `json:"properties"`
-	From       linkedql.PathStep `json:"from"`
 	ExcludeID  bool              `json:"excludeID"`
 }
 
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ var _ linkedql.IteratorStep = (*Documents)(nil)
 
 // Documents corresponds to .documents().
 type Documents struct {
-	From linkedql.PathStep `json:"from"`
+	From linkedql.PathStep `json:"from" minCardinality:"0"`
 }
 
 // Description implements Step.
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/union.go b/query/linkedql/steps/union.go
index 1c9b981b6..779a0bb96 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/union.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/union.go
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ var _ linkedql.PathStep = (*Union)(nil)
 
 // Union corresponds to .union() and .or().
 type Union struct {
-	From  linkedql.PathStep   `json:"from"`
+	From  linkedql.PathStep   `json:"from" minCardinality:"0"`
 	Steps []linkedql.PathStep `json:"steps"`
 }
 
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func (s *Union) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *Union) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/unique.go b/query/linkedql/steps/unique.go
index bc6c68845..9f3ddf538 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/unique.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/unique.go
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ func (s *Unique) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *Unique) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/visit.go b/query/linkedql/steps/visit.go
index 460ca4cff..edecf161c 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/visit.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/visit.go
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ var _ linkedql.PathStep = (*Visit)(nil)
 
 // Visit corresponds to .view().
 type Visit struct {
-	From       linkedql.PathStep      `json:"from"`
+	From       linkedql.PathStep      `json:"from" minCardinality:"0"`
 	Properties *linkedql.PropertyPath `json:"properties"`
 }
 
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func (s *Visit) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *Visit) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/visit_reverse.go b/query/linkedql/steps/visit_reverse.go
index 8f3f0098d..b44f6fb57 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/visit_reverse.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/visit_reverse.go
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ var _ linkedql.PathStep = (*VisitReverse)(nil)
 
 // VisitReverse corresponds to .viewReverse().
 type VisitReverse struct {
-	From       linkedql.PathStep      `json:"from"`
+	From       linkedql.PathStep      `json:"from" minCardinality:"0"`
 	Properties *linkedql.PropertyPath `json:"properties"`
 }
 
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func (s *VisitReverse) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *VisitReverse) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/query/linkedql/steps/where.go b/query/linkedql/steps/where.go
index 2b7fc137e..f60da6e8f 100644
--- a/query/linkedql/steps/where.go
+++ b/query/linkedql/steps/where.go
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func (s *Where) Description() string {
 
 // BuildPath implements linkedql.PathStep.
 func (s *Where) BuildPath(qs graph.QuadStore, ns *voc.Namespaces) (*path.Path, error) {
-	fromPath, err := s.From.BuildPath(qs, ns)
+	fromPath, err := linkedql.BuildFromPath(qs, ns, s.From)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}