Removing "entry" type hyperlink (in Draft) doesn't help and throws a warning on publishing

Problem:

  1. In the text editor link “entry” in Draft mode
  2. Get a warning when publishing
  3. Remove the problematic hyperlinked text (with simple backspacing)
  4. Publish an article
  5. Get an error still, saying that the linked entry is in draft mode, even though there is no entry anymore in the text.

Current workaround: need to completely remove the text around the area where the link used to be, and type anew.
Let me know if there are better ways to do it…