diff --git a/test/units/assert.sh b/test/units/assert.sh
index 66357ab688..2f4d93ab8c 100644
--- a/test/units/assert.sh
+++ b/test/units/assert.sh
@@ -4,10 +4,10 @@
 # utility functions for shell tests
 
 assert_true() {(
-    local rc
-
     set +ex
 
+    local rc
+
     "$@"
     rc=$?
     if [[ $rc -ne 0 ]]; then
@@ -47,10 +47,10 @@ assert_not_in() {(
 )}
 
 assert_rc() {(
-    local rc exp="${1?}"
-
     set +ex
 
+    local rc exp="${1?}"
+
     shift
     "$@"
     rc=$?