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GeezerVison is showing github.com — Possible `NULL`-related `SystemError` when interpreter is not fully initialized · Issue #161863 · python/cpython

Possible NULL-related SystemError when interpreter is not fully initialized #161863

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Possible NULL-related SystemError when interpreter is not fully initialized#161863
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interpreter-core(Objects, Python, Grammar, and Parser dirs)(Objects, Python, Grammar, and Parser dirs)topic-importlibtype-bugAn unexpected behavior, bug, or errorAn unexpected behavior, bug, or error

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@sobolevn
sobolevn
opened on Nov 12, 2026
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Code:

cpython/Python/import.c

Lines 3921 to 3922 in 9f38636

mod = PyObject_CallMethodObjArgs(IMPORTLIB(interp), find_and_load,
abs_name, IMPORT_FUNC(interp), NULL);

Here IMPORTLIB(interp) can be NULL under rare conditions:

cpython/Python/import.c

Lines 95 to 96 in 9f38636

#define IMPORTLIB(interp) \
(interp)->imports.importlib

For example, when interpreter is not yet fully initialized.

Output:

» ./Programs/_freeze_module crash crash.py crash.h
Exception ignored in the internal traceback machinery:
SystemError: null argument to internal routine
# ...

Refs #161860 where I first found this case.
Refs #142662 where the initial reproducer was found.

I guess we should raise a different SystemError here with the text that imports are not yet fully initialized.

My proposal is to make the error message better here: it should state the interpreter is not fully initialized.

And ideally we can fix the freeze command as well later.

Activity

  1. sobolevn
    added
    type-bugAn unexpected behavior, bug, or errorAn unexpected behavior, bug, or error
    topic-importlib
    on Nov 12, 2026
  2. picnixz
    added
    interpreter-core(Objects, Python, Grammar, and Parser dirs)(Objects, Python, Grammar, and Parser dirs)
    on Nov 12, 2026
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    interpreter-core(Objects, Python, Grammar, and Parser dirs)(Objects, Python, Grammar, and Parser dirs)topic-importlibtype-bugAn unexpected behavior, bug, or errorAn unexpected behavior, bug, or error

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