Assign a specific GID to a variable in "if/else"

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Hi,

I have an if/else statement that checks if a file metafield has a value in it, and if it’s empty, it should use a specific GID that I’m putting directly in the liquid code block.

The desired purpose is to display a backup image when the object doesn’t have an image selected.

The problem I have is that while the GID outputs correctly as a text string in a paragraph block, when I’m using it as an image source, it generates an error message. How do I need to format this GID string so that it will work?

{% for item in shop.metaobjects.bike_guide.values %}

    {% if item.brand.value.brand != blank %}
        
        {% if item.top_image != blank %}
            {% assign card_image = item.top_image %}
        {% else %}
            **{% assign card_image = 'gid://shopify/MediaImage/62419296813284' %}**
        {% endif %}
        
        <a href="{{item.metaobject_system.url}}" style="text-decoration: none;">
        <div class="repeater-card">
            <div class="repeater-image-container">
                **<img src="{{ card_image | image_url }}**" alt="{{item.title}}" loading="lazy"> 
            </div>
            <h4>{{ item.title }}</h4>
            <p>{{ item.intro_title }}</p>
        </div>
        </a>
    {% endif %}
{% endfor %}