Although simple commands without a command word (only assignments and/or
redirections) are much like special builtins, POSIX and most shells seem to
agree that redirection errors should not abort the shell in this case. Of
course, the assignments persist and assignment errors are fatal.
To get the old behaviour portably, use the ':' special builtin.
To get the new behaviour portably, given that there are no assignments, use
the 'true' regular builtin.