diff --git a/dotdrop/options.py b/dotdrop/options.py
index e22a379..995a6ca 100644
--- a/dotdrop/options.py
+++ b/dotdrop/options.py
@@ -67,7 +67,21 @@ Options:
 """.format(BANNER, PROFILE)
 
 
-class Options:
+class AttrMonitor:
+    _set_attr_err = False
+
+    def __setattr__(self, key, value):
+        """monitor attribute setting"""
+        if not hasattr(self, key) and self._set_attr_err:
+            self._attr_change(key)
+        super(AttrMonitor, self).__setattr__(key, value)
+
+    def _attr_set(self, attr):
+        """do something when unexistent attr is set"""
+        pass
+
+
+class Options(AttrMonitor):
 
     def __init__(self, args=None):
         """constructor
@@ -89,6 +103,8 @@ class Options:
            and not self.args['--no-banner']:
             self._header()
         self._print_attr()
+        # start monitoring for bad attribute
+        self._set_attr_err = True
 
     def _header(self):
         """print the header"""
@@ -172,3 +188,7 @@ class Options:
             if callable(val):
                 continue
             self.log.dbg('- {}: \"{}\"'.format(att, val))
+
+    def _attr_set(self, attr):
+        """error when some inexistent attr is set"""
+        raise Exception('bad option: {}'.format(attr))
diff --git a/tests/helpers.py b/tests/helpers.py
index 84649a5..13b712d 100644
--- a/tests/helpers.py
+++ b/tests/helpers.py
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ def load_options(confpath, profile):
     o.link = LinkTypes.NOLINK.value
     o.install_showdiff = True
     o.debug = True
-    o.dopts = ''
+    o.compare_dopts = ''
     o.variables = {}
     return o
 
diff --git a/tests/test_compare.py b/tests/test_compare.py
index 567bf92..c336698 100644
--- a/tests/test_compare.py
+++ b/tests/test_compare.py
@@ -162,9 +162,9 @@ class TestCompare(unittest.TestCase):
         # test compare from dotdrop
         self.assertFalse(cmd_compare(o, tmp))
         # test focus
-        o.focus = d4
+        o.compare_focus = d4
         self.assertFalse(cmd_compare(o, tmp))
-        o.focus = '/tmp/fake'
+        o.compare_focus = '/tmp/fake'
         self.assertFalse(cmd_compare(o, tmp))
 
 
diff --git a/tests/test_update.py b/tests/test_update.py
index e77d7ba..12aea45 100644
--- a/tests/test_update.py
+++ b/tests/test_update.py
@@ -53,6 +53,10 @@ class TestUpdate(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(d2))
         self.addCleanup(clean, d2)
 
+        d3t, c3t = create_random_file(fold_config)
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(d3t))
+        self.addCleanup(clean, d3t)
+
         # create the directory to test
         dpath = os.path.join(fold_config, get_string(5))
         dir1 = create_dir(dpath)
@@ -69,11 +73,14 @@ class TestUpdate(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(confpath))
         o = load_options(confpath, profile)
         o.debug = True
-        dfiles = [d1, dir1, d2]
+        o.update_showpatch = True
+        dfiles = [d1, dir1, d2, d3t]
 
         # import the files
         o.import_path = dfiles
         cmd_importer(o)
+
+        # get new config
         o = load_options(confpath, profile)
 
         # edit the files
@@ -92,6 +99,7 @@ class TestUpdate(unittest.TestCase):
         o.safe = False
         o.debug = True
         o.update_path = [d1, dir1]
+        o.update_showpatch = True
         cmd_update(o)
 
         # test content
@@ -114,7 +122,7 @@ class TestUpdate(unittest.TestCase):
         o.safe = False
         o.debug = True
         o.update_path = [d2key]
-        o.iskey = True
+        o.update_iskey = True
         cmd_update(o)
 
         # test content