diff --git a/basic.bash b/basic.bash
index bb6aaf0..050bd40 100755
--- a/basic.bash
+++ b/basic.bash
@@ -4,10 +4,21 @@
 # Copyright _copyright_effective_year_ _copyright_holder_name_ <_copyright_holder_contact_>
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: CC-BY-SA-4.0
 
-set \
-    -o errexit \
-    -o errtrace \
+set_opts=(
+    # Terminate script execution when an unhandled error occurs
+    -o errexit
+    -o errtrace
+
+    # Terminate script execution when an unset parameter variable is
+    # referenced
     -o nounset
+)
+if ! set "${set_opts[@]}"; then
+    printf \
+        'Error: Unable to set the defensive interpreter behavior.\n' \
+        1>&2
+    exit 1
+fi
 
 required_commands=(
     realpath
diff --git a/primitive.bash b/primitive.bash
index 96470a2..1388efb 100755
--- a/primitive.bash
+++ b/primitive.bash
@@ -4,7 +4,18 @@
 # Copyright _copyright_effective_year_ _copyright_holder_name_ <_copyright_holder_contact_>
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: CC-BY-SA-4.0
 
-set \
-    -o errexit \
-    -o errtrace \
+set_opts=(
+    # Terminate script execution when an unhandled error occurs
+    -o errexit
+    -o errtrace
+
+    # Terminate script execution when an unset parameter variable is
+    # referenced
     -o nounset
+)
+if ! set "${set_opts[@]}"; then
+    printf \
+        'Error: Unable to set the defensive interpreter behavior.\n' \
+        1>&2
+    exit 1
+fi