diff --git a/src/goto-checker/bmc_util.cpp b/src/goto-checker/bmc_util.cpp
index 6e31d312d77..5d221071a6e 100644
--- a/src/goto-checker/bmc_util.cpp
+++ b/src/goto-checker/bmc_util.cpp
@@ -22,8 +22,6 @@ Author: Daniel Kroening, Peter Schrammel
 #include <goto-symex/slice.h>
 #include <goto-symex/symex_target_equation.h>
 
-#include <linking/static_lifetime_init.h>
-
 #include <solvers/decision_procedure.h>
 
 #include <util/json_stream.h>
@@ -175,26 +173,6 @@ get_memory_model(const optionst &options, const namespacet &ns)
   }
 }
 
-void setup_symex(
-  symex_bmct &symex,
-  const namespacet &ns,
-  const optionst &options,
-  ui_message_handlert &ui_message_handler)
-{
-  messaget msg(ui_message_handler);
-  const symbolt *init_symbol;
-  if(!ns.lookup(INITIALIZE_FUNCTION, init_symbol))
-    symex.language_mode = init_symbol->mode;
-
-  msg.status() << "Starting Bounded Model Checking" << messaget::eom;
-
-  symex.last_source_location.make_nil();
-
-  symex.unwindset.parse_unwind(options.get_option("unwind"));
-  symex.unwindset.parse_unwindset(
-    options.get_list_option("unwindset"), ui_message_handler);
-}
-
 void slice(
   symex_bmct &symex,
   symex_target_equationt &symex_target_equation,
diff --git a/src/goto-checker/bmc_util.h b/src/goto-checker/bmc_util.h
index 92e0e3a82de..9afd60e9a1b 100644
--- a/src/goto-checker/bmc_util.h
+++ b/src/goto-checker/bmc_util.h
@@ -68,12 +68,6 @@ void output_graphml(
 std::unique_ptr<memory_model_baset>
 get_memory_model(const optionst &options, const namespacet &);
 
-void setup_symex(
-  symex_bmct &,
-  const namespacet &,
-  const optionst &,
-  ui_message_handlert &);
-
 void slice(
   symex_bmct &,
   symex_target_equationt &symex_target_equation,
diff --git a/src/goto-checker/multi_path_symex_only_checker.cpp b/src/goto-checker/multi_path_symex_only_checker.cpp
index ed094eb53e5..ce81e072e1d 100644
--- a/src/goto-checker/multi_path_symex_only_checker.cpp
+++ b/src/goto-checker/multi_path_symex_only_checker.cpp
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ multi_path_symex_only_checkert::multi_path_symex_only_checkert(
     goto_model(goto_model),
     ns(goto_model.get_symbol_table(), symex_symbol_table),
     equation(ui_message_handler),
-    unwindset(goto_model),
     symex(
       ui_message_handler,
       goto_model.get_symbol_table(),
@@ -37,7 +36,9 @@ multi_path_symex_only_checkert::multi_path_symex_only_checkert(
       guard_manager,
       unwindset)
 {
-  setup_symex(symex, ns, options, ui_message_handler);
+  unwindset.parse_unwind(options.get_option("unwind"));
+  unwindset.parse_unwindset(
+    options.get_list_option("unwindset"), goto_model, ui_message_handler);
 }
 
 incremental_goto_checkert::resultt multi_path_symex_only_checkert::
diff --git a/src/goto-checker/single_loop_incremental_symex_checker.cpp b/src/goto-checker/single_loop_incremental_symex_checker.cpp
index 47a2194d55d..f264a728f58 100644
--- a/src/goto-checker/single_loop_incremental_symex_checker.cpp
+++ b/src/goto-checker/single_loop_incremental_symex_checker.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ single_loop_incremental_symex_checkert::single_loop_incremental_symex_checkert(
     goto_model(goto_model),
     ns(goto_model.get_symbol_table(), symex_symbol_table),
     equation(ui_message_handler),
-    unwindset(goto_model),
     symex(
       ui_message_handler,
       goto_model.get_symbol_table(),
@@ -40,7 +39,9 @@ single_loop_incremental_symex_checkert::single_loop_incremental_symex_checkert(
       ui_message_handler.get_ui()),
     property_decider(options, ui_message_handler, equation, ns)
 {
-  setup_symex(symex, ns, options, ui_message_handler);
+  unwindset.parse_unwind(options.get_option("unwind"));
+  unwindset.parse_unwindset(
+    options.get_list_option("unwindset"), goto_model, ui_message_handler);
 
   // Freeze all symbols if we are using a prop_conv_solvert
   prop_conv_solvert *prop_conv_solver = dynamic_cast<prop_conv_solvert *>(
diff --git a/src/goto-checker/single_path_symex_only_checker.cpp b/src/goto-checker/single_path_symex_only_checker.cpp
index 3f8ad17627a..7a5e8ffe5b7 100644
--- a/src/goto-checker/single_path_symex_only_checker.cpp
+++ b/src/goto-checker/single_path_symex_only_checker.cpp
@@ -29,9 +29,11 @@ single_path_symex_only_checkert::single_path_symex_only_checkert(
     goto_model(goto_model),
     ns(goto_model.get_symbol_table(), symex_symbol_table),
     worklist(get_path_strategy(options.get_option("exploration-strategy"))),
-    symex_runtime(0),
-    unwindset(goto_model)
+    symex_runtime(0)
 {
+  unwindset.parse_unwind(options.get_option("unwind"));
+  unwindset.parse_unwindset(
+    options.get_list_option("unwindset"), goto_model, ui_message_handler);
 }
 
 incremental_goto_checkert::resultt single_path_symex_only_checkert::
@@ -150,11 +152,6 @@ void single_path_symex_only_checkert::equation_output(
   }
 }
 
-void single_path_symex_only_checkert::setup_symex(symex_bmct &symex)
-{
-  ::setup_symex(symex, ns, options, ui_message_handler);
-}
-
 void single_path_symex_only_checkert::update_properties(
   propertiest &properties,
   std::unordered_set<irep_idt> &updated_properties,
diff --git a/src/goto-checker/single_path_symex_only_checker.h b/src/goto-checker/single_path_symex_only_checker.h
index 325459e919c..f7e221ccbae 100644
--- a/src/goto-checker/single_path_symex_only_checker.h
+++ b/src/goto-checker/single_path_symex_only_checker.h
@@ -47,7 +47,10 @@ class single_path_symex_only_checkert : public incremental_goto_checkert
     const symex_bmct &symex,
     const symex_target_equationt &equation);
 
-  virtual void setup_symex(symex_bmct &symex);
+  virtual void setup_symex(symex_bmct &symex)
+  {
+    // deriving classes may do extra work here
+  }
 
   /// Adds the initial goto-symex state as a path to the worklist
   virtual void initialize_worklist();
diff --git a/src/goto-checker/symex_bmc.cpp b/src/goto-checker/symex_bmc.cpp
index 56bd0c198d6..43dd34e1210 100644
--- a/src/goto-checker/symex_bmc.cpp
+++ b/src/goto-checker/symex_bmc.cpp
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ Author: Daniel Kroening, kroening@kroening.com
 
 #include <goto-instrument/unwindset.h>
 
+#include <linking/static_lifetime_init.h>
+
 symex_bmct::symex_bmct(
   message_handlert &mh,
   const symbol_tablet &outer_symbol_table,
@@ -33,10 +35,17 @@ symex_bmct::symex_bmct(
       options,
       path_storage,
       guard_manager),
+    last_source_location(source_locationt::nil()),
     record_coverage(!options.get_option("symex-coverage-report").empty()),
     unwindset(unwindset),
     symex_coverage(ns)
 {
+  const symbolt *init_symbol = outer_symbol_table.lookup(INITIALIZE_FUNCTION);
+  if(init_symbol)
+    language_mode = init_symbol->mode;
+
+  messaget msg{mh};
+  msg.status() << "Starting Bounded Model Checking" << messaget::eom;
 }
 
 /// show progress
diff --git a/src/goto-checker/symex_bmc.h b/src/goto-checker/symex_bmc.h
index 8f484482cf4..81d15eed13f 100644
--- a/src/goto-checker/symex_bmc.h
+++ b/src/goto-checker/symex_bmc.h
@@ -81,9 +81,9 @@ class symex_bmct : public goto_symext
 
   const bool record_coverage;
 
+protected:
   unwindsett &unwindset;
 
-protected:
   /// Callbacks that may provide an unwind/do-not-unwind decision for a loop
   std::vector<loop_unwind_handlert> loop_unwind_handlers;
 
diff --git a/src/goto-instrument/contracts/contracts.cpp b/src/goto-instrument/contracts/contracts.cpp
index f99d87e4477..9a3de7e7a23 100644
--- a/src/goto-instrument/contracts/contracts.cpp
+++ b/src/goto-instrument/contracts/contracts.cpp
@@ -1493,8 +1493,9 @@ void code_contractst::apply_loop_contracts(
   // unwind all transformed loops twice.
   if(loop_contract_config.unwind_transformed_loops)
   {
-    unwindsett unwindset{goto_model};
-    unwindset.parse_unwindset(loop_names, log.get_message_handler());
+    unwindsett unwindset;
+    unwindset.parse_unwindset(
+      loop_names, goto_model, log.get_message_handler());
     goto_unwindt goto_unwind;
     goto_unwind(goto_model, unwindset, goto_unwindt::unwind_strategyt::ASSUME);
   }
diff --git a/src/goto-instrument/contracts/dynamic-frames/dfcc_instrument.cpp b/src/goto-instrument/contracts/dynamic-frames/dfcc_instrument.cpp
index 4b7302cd2c2..4f05c385ae1 100644
--- a/src/goto-instrument/contracts/dynamic-frames/dfcc_instrument.cpp
+++ b/src/goto-instrument/contracts/dynamic-frames/dfcc_instrument.cpp
@@ -1208,8 +1208,8 @@ void dfcc_instrumentt::apply_loop_contracts(
   // If required, unwind all transformed loops to yield base and step cases
   if(loop_contract_config.unwind_transformed_loops)
   {
-    unwindsett unwindset{goto_model};
-    unwindset.parse_unwindset(to_unwind, log.get_message_handler());
+    unwindsett unwindset;
+    unwindset.parse_unwindset(to_unwind, goto_model, log.get_message_handler());
     goto_unwindt goto_unwind;
     goto_unwind(goto_model, unwindset, goto_unwindt::unwind_strategyt::ASSUME);
   }
diff --git a/src/goto-instrument/contracts/dynamic-frames/dfcc_library.cpp b/src/goto-instrument/contracts/dynamic-frames/dfcc_library.cpp
index f9a5f51c2fe..5799e4605ef 100644
--- a/src/goto-instrument/contracts/dynamic-frames/dfcc_library.cpp
+++ b/src/goto-instrument/contracts/dynamic-frames/dfcc_library.cpp
@@ -439,7 +439,6 @@ void dfcc_libraryt::specialize(const std::size_t contract_assigns_size)
     "dfcc_libraryt::specialize_functions can only be called once");
 
   specialized = true;
-  unwindsett unwindset{goto_model};
   std::list<std::string> loop_names;
 
   for(const auto &entry : to_unwind)
@@ -452,7 +451,8 @@ void dfcc_libraryt::specialize(const std::size_t contract_assigns_size)
     const auto &str = stream.str();
     loop_names.push_back(str);
   }
-  unwindset.parse_unwindset(loop_names, message_handler);
+  unwindsett unwindset;
+  unwindset.parse_unwindset(loop_names, goto_model, message_handler);
   goto_unwindt goto_unwind;
   goto_unwind(
     goto_model, unwindset, goto_unwindt::unwind_strategyt::ASSERT_ASSUME);
diff --git a/src/goto-instrument/goto_instrument_parse_options.cpp b/src/goto-instrument/goto_instrument_parse_options.cpp
index 3b60d0fe95d..e3f108d227b 100644
--- a/src/goto-instrument/goto_instrument_parse_options.cpp
+++ b/src/goto-instrument/goto_instrument_parse_options.cpp
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ int goto_instrument_parse_optionst::doit()
 
       if(unwind_given || unwindset_given || unwindset_file_given)
       {
-        unwindsett unwindset{goto_model};
+        unwindsett unwindset;
 
         if(unwind_given)
           unwindset.parse_unwind(cmdline.get_value("unwind"));
@@ -191,13 +191,16 @@ int goto_instrument_parse_optionst::doit()
         if(unwindset_file_given)
         {
           unwindset.parse_unwindset_file(
-            cmdline.get_value("unwindset-file"), ui_message_handler);
+            cmdline.get_value("unwindset-file"),
+            goto_model,
+            ui_message_handler);
         }
 
         if(unwindset_given)
         {
           unwindset.parse_unwindset(
             cmdline.get_comma_separated_values("unwindset"),
+            goto_model,
             ui_message_handler);
         }
 
diff --git a/src/goto-instrument/unwindset.cpp b/src/goto-instrument/unwindset.cpp
index 7dc097efd03..04eaaf1f513 100644
--- a/src/goto-instrument/unwindset.cpp
+++ b/src/goto-instrument/unwindset.cpp
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ void unwindsett::parse_unwind(const std::string &unwind)
 
 void unwindsett::parse_unwindset_one_loop(
   std::string val,
+  abstract_goto_modelt &goto_model,
   message_handlert &message_handler)
 {
   if(val.empty())
@@ -181,10 +182,11 @@ void unwindsett::parse_unwindset_one_loop(
 
 void unwindsett::parse_unwindset(
   const std::list<std::string> &unwindset,
+  abstract_goto_modelt &goto_model,
   message_handlert &message_handler)
 {
   for(auto &element : unwindset)
-    parse_unwindset_one_loop(element, message_handler);
+    parse_unwindset_one_loop(element, goto_model, message_handler);
 }
 
 std::optional<unsigned>
@@ -211,6 +213,7 @@ unwindsett::get_limit(const irep_idt &loop_id, unsigned thread_nr) const
 
 void unwindsett::parse_unwindset_file(
   const std::string &file_name,
+  abstract_goto_modelt &goto_model,
   message_handlert &message_handler)
 {
   std::ifstream file(widen_if_needed(file_name));
@@ -225,5 +228,5 @@ void unwindsett::parse_unwindset_file(
     split_string(buffer.str(), ',', true, true);
 
   for(auto &element : unwindset_elements)
-    parse_unwindset_one_loop(element, message_handler);
+    parse_unwindset_one_loop(element, goto_model, message_handler);
 }
diff --git a/src/goto-instrument/unwindset.h b/src/goto-instrument/unwindset.h
index 4e3ffde0445..a4af6e161ec 100644
--- a/src/goto-instrument/unwindset.h
+++ b/src/goto-instrument/unwindset.h
@@ -30,9 +30,7 @@ class unwindsett
   // 2) a limit per loop, all threads
   // 3) a limit for a particular thread.
   // We use the most specific of the above.
-  explicit unwindsett(abstract_goto_modelt &goto_model) : goto_model(goto_model)
-  {
-  }
+  unwindsett() = default;
 
   // global limit for all loops
   void parse_unwind(const std::string &unwind);
@@ -40,6 +38,7 @@ class unwindsett
   // limit for instances of a loop
   void parse_unwindset(
     const std::list<std::string> &unwindset,
+    abstract_goto_modelt &goto_model,
     message_handlert &message_handler);
 
   // queries
@@ -49,11 +48,10 @@ class unwindsett
   // read unwindset directives from a file
   void parse_unwindset_file(
     const std::string &file_name,
+    abstract_goto_modelt &goto_model,
     message_handlert &message_handler);
 
 protected:
-  abstract_goto_modelt &goto_model;
-
   std::optional<unsigned> global_limit;
 
   // Limit for all instances of a loop.
@@ -68,6 +66,7 @@ class unwindsett
 
   void parse_unwindset_one_loop(
     std::string loop_limit,
+    abstract_goto_modelt &goto_model,
     message_handlert &message_handler);
 };
 
diff --git a/src/goto-symex/goto_symex.h b/src/goto-symex/goto_symex.h
index ae06ad54072..7bc2f93c180 100644
--- a/src/goto-symex/goto_symex.h
+++ b/src/goto-symex/goto_symex.h
@@ -234,13 +234,10 @@ class goto_symext
   messaget::mstreamt &
   print_callstack_entry(const symex_targett::sourcet &target);
 
-public:
-
   /// language_mode: ID_java, ID_C or another language identifier
   /// if we know the source language in use, irep_idt() otherwise.
   irep_idt language_mode;
 
-protected:
   /// The symbol table associated with the goto-program being executed.
   /// This symbol table will not have objects that are dynamically created as
   /// part of symbolic execution added to it; those object are stored in the
diff --git a/unit/path_strategies.cpp b/unit/path_strategies.cpp
index 4b9ff978e99..a07de0b0941 100644
--- a/unit/path_strategies.cpp
+++ b/unit/path_strategies.cpp
@@ -415,7 +415,10 @@ void _check_with_strategy(
   propertiest properties(initialize_properties(goto_model));
   std::unique_ptr<path_storaget> worklist = get_path_strategy(strategy);
   guard_managert guard_manager;
-  unwindsett unwindset{goto_model};
+  unwindsett unwindset;
+  unwindset.parse_unwind(options.get_option("unwind"));
+  unwindset.parse_unwindset(
+    options.get_list_option("unwindset"), goto_model, ui_message_handler);
 
   {
     // Put initial state into the work list
@@ -428,7 +431,6 @@ void _check_with_strategy(
       *worklist,
       guard_manager,
       unwindset);
-    setup_symex(symex, ns, options, ui_message_handler);
 
     symex.initialize_path_storage_from_entry_point_of(
       goto_symext::get_goto_function(goto_model),
@@ -451,7 +453,6 @@ void _check_with_strategy(
       *worklist,
       guard_manager,
       unwindset);
-    setup_symex(symex, ns, options, ui_message_handler);
 
     symex_symbol_table = symex.resume_symex_from_saved_state(
       goto_symext::get_goto_function(goto_model),