Cannot use dot before redirect to file in batch file

I cannot tell why the context of an if would change my ability to run the same code.

While this:

@SET FILE_MAIL_BODY=mail.body
@echo The build FAILED because of a lock on the 'classes' folder (or its subfolders).>%FILE_MAIL_BODY%

works just fine, running the following snippet:

@SET retval=%ERRORLEVEL%
if %retval% == 1 (
    @SET FILE_MAIL_BODY=mail.body
    @echo The build FAILED because of a lock on the 'classes' folder (or its subfolders).>%FILE_MAIL_BODY%  
)

fails with the message:

. was unexpected at this time.

, unless I delete the . after subfolders.

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