keras-team/keras · error · ValueError

You are attempting to initialize a variable while in a state

Error message

You are attempting to initialize a variable while in a stateless scope. This is disallowed. Make sure that all variables are initialized before you start using your layer/model objects.

What it means

Error "You are attempting to initialize a variable while in a stateless scope. This is disallowed. Make sure that all variables are initialized before you start using your layer/model objects." thrown in keras-team/keras.

Source

Thrown at keras/src/backend/common/variables.py:226

            if callable(initializer):
                self._shape = self._validate_shape(shape)
                self._initialize_with_initializer(initializer)
            else:
                self._initialize(initializer)
                self._shape = self._validate_shape(self._value.shape)
        self._ndim = len(self._shape)

    def _deferred_initialize(self):
        if self._value is not None:
            # If NNX is enabled, it's possible the variable was already
            # initialized by a concrete call. In this case, _deferred_initialize
            # returns early and does not raise an error.
            if config.is_nnx_enabled():
                return
            raise ValueError(f"Variable {self.path} is already initialized.")

        if in_stateless_scope():
            raise ValueError(
                "You are attempting to initialize a variable "
                "while in a stateless scope. This is disallowed. "
                "Make sure that all variables are initialized "
                "before you start using your layer/model objects."
            )
        self._initialize_with_initializer(self._initializer)
        self._initializer = None

    def _validate_shape(self, shape):
        shape = standardize_shape(shape)
        if None in shape:
            raise ValueError(
                "Shapes used to initialize variables must be "
                "fully-defined (no `None` dimensions). Received: "
                f"shape={shape} for variable path='{self.path}'"
            )
        return shape

View on GitHub (pinned to 7a34a03db6)

When it happens

Trigger: Thrown at keras/src/backend/common/variables.py:226 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/a106f0b2000a6f3b. Report an issue: GitHub.