keras-team/keras · error · ValueError

Unable to import backend : {backend()}

Error message

Unable to import backend : {backend()}

What it means

Error "Unable to import backend : {backend()}" thrown in keras-team/keras.

Source

Thrown at keras/src/backend/__init__.py:57

    from keras.src.backend.tensorflow.core import Variable as BackendVariable
elif backend() == "jax":
    from keras.src.backend.jax import *  # noqa: F403
    from keras.src.backend.jax.core import Variable as BackendVariable
elif backend() == "torch":
    from keras.src.backend.torch import *  # noqa: F403
    from keras.src.backend.torch.core import Variable as BackendVariable
elif backend() == "numpy":
    from keras.src.backend.numpy import *  # noqa: F403
    from keras.src.backend.numpy.core import Variable as BackendVariable

    distribution_lib = None
elif backend() == "openvino":
    from keras.src.backend.openvino import *  # noqa: F403
    from keras.src.backend.openvino.core import Variable as BackendVariable

    distribution_lib = None
else:
    raise ValueError(f"Unable to import backend : {backend()}")


@keras_export("keras.Variable")
class Variable(BackendVariable):  # noqa: F811
    pass


backend_name_scope = name_scope  # noqa: F405


@keras_export("keras.name_scope")
class name_scope(backend_name_scope):
    pass


@keras_export("keras.device")
def device(device_name):
    """Context manager for backend-agnostic device placement.

View on GitHub (pinned to 7a34a03db6)

When it happens

Trigger: Thrown at keras/src/backend/__init__.py:57 when the library encounters an invalid state.

Common situations: See trigger scenarios.

AI-assisted analysis of keras-team/keras@7a34a03db6 (2026-08-25). Data as JSON: /api/errors/91de87a228c43a5d. Report an issue: GitHub.