Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may receive an indication of one or more beam failure detection reference signal sets corresponding to a list of component carriers. Whether a component carrier is included in the list or whether a beam failure detection reference signal set of the one or more beam failure detection reference signal sets is applicable to the component carrier, or both, may be based on whether the component carrier is of a first type configured for a single beam failure detection reference signal set or is of a second type configured for multiple beam failure detection reference signal sets. The UE may monitor one or more component carriers included in the list for beam failure using the one or more indicated beam failure detection reference signal sets.