diff --git a/tests/set.err b/tests/set.err
index 39e8350e7..886d00f58 100644
--- a/tests/set.err
+++ b/tests/set.err
@@ -23,3 +23,7 @@ $argle bargle: invalid var name
 
 ####################
 # if/for/while scope
+
+####################
+# readonly vars
+set: Tried to change the read-only variable 'status'
diff --git a/tests/set.in b/tests/set.in
index 1db01f32b..12894f963 100644
--- a/tests/set.in
+++ b/tests/set.in
@@ -70,3 +70,9 @@ function test_ifforwhile_scope
     set --show ifvar1 ifvar2 ifvar3 whilevar1
 end
 test_ifforwhile_scope
+
+# $status should always be read-only, setting it makes no sense because it's immediately overwritten.
+logmsg readonly vars
+set -g status 5
+
+exit 0
diff --git a/tests/set.out b/tests/set.out
index f76de478e..ade050637 100644
--- a/tests/set.out
+++ b/tests/set.out
@@ -129,3 +129,6 @@ $whilevar1[1]: length=4 value=|val3|
 $whilevar1: not set in global scope
 $whilevar1: not set in universal scope
 
+
+####################
+# readonly vars