`lazy import a.b as c` incorrectly binds to `a.b.b` · Issue #157614 · python/cpython · GitHub

Bug report

To reproduce:

import importlib.metadata
import importlib.metadata as x
lazy import importlib.metadata as lazy_x

print("type(x):     ", type(x).__name__)  # reifies to importlib.metadata
print("type(lazy_x):", type(lazy_x).__name__)  # reifies to importlib.metadata.metadata

x.distributions()  # OK
lazy_x.distributions()  # AttributeError: 'function' object has no attribute 'distributions'

x is the importlib.metadata module, as expected. lazy_x is instead reified to importlib.metadata.metadata, the function.

The bug is in cached name resolution.

For lazy import a.b as c, the issue reproduces when:

a.b is already in sys.modules.
a.b has an attribute named b.
c is reified.

Possible root cause

The problem may be in _PyEval_LazyImportFrom: [Python/ceval.c:3305-3361](https://github.com/python/cpython/blob/cf312cfa64dcaa1700531ec8bc76d56ddd65fb15/Python/ceval.c#L3305-L3361) (3.15 at cf312cfa64dcaa1700531ec8bc76d56ddd65fb15, v3.15.0rc2-22-gcf312cf).

The sys.modules fast path at lines 3313-3331 runs before the base-module computation at 3333-3360 and looks up name directly in d->lz_from.

In the IMPORT_FROM chain generated for import a.b.c as x, however, d->lz_from does not appear to be the module the attribute should be taken from: on the first step it is the full dotted name, and on later steps it is one component short of the base.

CPython versions tested on:

3.15

Operating systems tested on:

Linux

Linked PRs

gh-157614: Fix lazy import a.b as c incorrectly binding a.b.b #157626

pythongh-157614: Fix lazy import a.b as c binding a.b.b instead of th…

Thanks for reporting the issue, I've reproduced it.

You've opened a PR in your fork repo, not in CPython.

@johnslavik Thanks for reproducing!

Ahhh the PR on the fork references the issue so it appears here. Was testing some stuff!

I'll submit the associated PR once it's ready (soon!) :)

@grgalex In the test please create a package structure to be imported, don't rely on importlib.metadata because that API can change. We should test the pattern, not something that happens to accidentally be an instance of it today.

pythongh-157614: Fix lazy import a.b as c binding a.b.b instead of th…

pythongh-157614: Make the lazy import subprocess test helper reusable

pythongh-157614: Fix lazy import a.b as c binding a.b.b instead of th…

pythongh-157614: Make the lazy import subprocess test helper reusable

pythongh-157614: Fix lazy import a.b as c binding a.b.b instead of th…

pythongh-157614: Make the lazy import subprocess test helper reusable

pythongh-157614: Fix lazy import a.b as c binding a.b.b instead of th…

pythongh-157614: Make the lazy import subprocess test helper reusable

pythongh-157614: Fix lazy import a.b as c binding a.b.b instead of th…

@johnslavik I've opened the PR.

Next time I'll make sure not to link to the main issue during experimentation in the private fork to avoid polluting the issue with references!

Marking as a release-blocker to get Hugo's eyes on this. This seems pretty bad, and seems like a realistic scenario to hit in practice.

Another bug found while investigating the present issue: #157757

Fixed by #158092, removing release-blocker label. Keeping this issue open for now to decide if we want the test from #157626.

`lazy import a.b as c` incorrectly binds to `a.b.b` · Issue #157614 · python/cpython · GitHub

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lazy import a.b as c incorrectly binds to a.b.b #157614

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`lazy import a.b as c` incorrectly binds to `a.b.b` · Issue #157614 · python/cpython · GitHub

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lazy import a.b as c incorrectly binds to a.b.b #157614

Description

Bug report

Possible root cause

CPython versions tested on:

Operating systems tested on:

Linked PRs

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johnslavik commented on Sep 16, 2026

grgalex commented on Sep 16, 2026

johnslavik commented on Sep 16, 2026

8 remaining items

grgalex commented on Sep 16, 2026

StanFromIreland commented on Sep 16, 2026

grgalex commented on Sep 18, 2026

hugovk commented on Sep 28, 2026

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