diff --git a/yarn-project/bootstrap.sh b/yarn-project/bootstrap.sh
index 39036119ed7..f3ad539416e 100755
--- a/yarn-project/bootstrap.sh
+++ b/yarn-project/bootstrap.sh
@@ -10,7 +10,9 @@ if [ "$(uname)" = "Darwin" ]; then
 else
   \. ~/.nvm/nvm.sh
 fi
+set +eu # nvm runs in our context - don't assume it's compatible with these flags
 nvm install
+set -eu
 
 yarn install --immutable