tensorflow/models · error · ValueError

model_dir must be specified, but got None

Error message

model_dir must be specified, but got None

What it means

Error "model_dir must be specified, but got None" thrown in tensorflow/models.

Source

Thrown at official/core/train_lib.py:168

    with self.strategy.scope():
      trainer = train_utils.create_trainer(
          self.params,
          task,
          train=train,
          evaluate=evaluate,
          checkpoint_exporter=self._build_best_checkpoint_exporter())
    return trainer

  def _build_best_checkpoint_exporter(self):
    return maybe_create_best_ckpt_exporter(self.params, self.model_dir)

  def _maybe_build_checkpoint_manager(
      self) -> Optional[tf.train.CheckpointManager]:
    """Maybe create a CheckpointManager."""
    assert self.trainer is not None
    if self.trainer.checkpoint:
      if self.model_dir is None:
        raise ValueError('model_dir must be specified, but got None')

      if (not self.strategy) or self.strategy.extended.should_checkpoint:
        ckpt_path = self.model_dir
        max_to_keep = self.params.trainer.max_to_keep
      else:
        # In multi worker training we need every worker to save checkpoint,
        # because variables can trigger synchronization on read and
        # synchronization needs all workers to participate. To avoid workers
        # overriding each other we save to a temporary directory on non-chief
        # workers.
        ckpt_path = tempfile.mkdtemp()
        max_to_keep = 1

      checkpoint_manager = tf.train.CheckpointManager(
          self.trainer.checkpoint,
          directory=ckpt_path,
          max_to_keep=max_to_keep,
          step_counter=self.trainer.global_step,

View on GitHub (pinned to e006f5f0d5)

When it happens

Trigger: Thrown at official/core/train_lib.py:168 when the library encounters an invalid state.

Common situations: See trigger scenarios.

AI-assisted analysis of tensorflow/models@e006f5f0d5 (2026-08-24). Data as JSON: /api/errors/fd6f13f8f097c1cd. Report an issue: GitHub.