pytest-dev/pytest · error · AttributeError

module {__name__!r} has no attribute {name!r}

Error message

module {__name__!r} has no attribute {name!r}

What it means

Raised by the module-level __getattr__ in _pytest.python when code accesses an attribute that does not exist on the module. It is the standard AttributeError produced for any unknown name on the _pytest.python module. Historically this also handles the deprecated CallSpec2 alias (emitting a warning then returning CallSpec); all other names raise this error.

Source

Thrown at src/_pytest/python.py:1842

            style = "long"
        return self._repr_failure_py(excinfo, style=style)


class FunctionDefinition(Function):
    """This class is a stop gap solution until we evolve to have actual function
    definition nodes and manage to get rid of ``metafunc``."""

    def runtest(self) -> None:
        raise RuntimeError("function definitions are not supposed to be run as tests")

    setup = runtest


def __getattr__(name: str) -> object:
    if name == "CallSpec2":
        warnings.warn(CALLSPEC2_RENAMED, stacklevel=2)
        return CallSpec
    raise AttributeError(f"module {__name__!r} has no attribute {name!r}")

View on GitHub (pinned to 98b357f69e)

Solutions

1. Check the installed pytest version's _pytest/python.py for the actual exported names.
2. Use the public pytest.* API instead of _pytest.python internals where possible.
3. If importing CallSpec2, migrate to CallSpec (the alias emits a deprecation warning).
4. Correct the typo in the import statement.

Example fix

// before
from _pytest.python import CallSpec2  # deprecated/removed in future
// after
from _pytest.python import CallSpec

import _pytest.python as pm
name = "CallSpec2"
if not hasattr(pm, name) and name != "CallSpec2":
    raise AttributeError(f"_pytest.python has no attribute {name!r}")
# for CallSpec2, prefer CallSpec directly
from _pytest.python import CallSpec

import _pytest.python as pm

def module_has(name: str) -> bool:
    return hasattr(pm, name)

try:
    from _pytest.python import CallSpec2  # deprecated
except (ImportError, AttributeError):
    from _pytest.python import CallSpec as CallSpec2

When it happens

Trigger: Doing `from _pytest.python import SomeName` or `_pytest.python.SomeName` where SomeName is not defined in the module (and is not the deprecated CallSpec2).

Common situations: Importing a private/internal name that was renamed or removed across pytest versions; typo in an import; depending on _pytest internals that are not part of the public API.

Related errors

• --pdbcls: could not import {value!r}: {exc}
• module or package not found: {arg} (missing __init__.py?)
• import error in {used}: {ex}
• {path}
• Can't find module {module_name} at location {path}

AI-assisted analysis of pytest-dev/pytest@98b357f69e (2026-08-04). Data as JSON: /data/errors/5ebbfd321fedd03c.json. Report an issue: GitHub.