How to Fix: ImportError: attempted relative import with no known parent package

ImportError: attempted relative import with no known parent package error occurs when attempting to import a module or package using a relative import syntax, but Python is unable to identify the parent package. In this article, we will see how to solve this error in Python.

What is ImportError: Attempted Relative Import With No Known Parent Package?

The "ImportError: attempted relative import with no known parent package" error typically arises in Python projects with multiple modules or packages. Python uses the concept of packages and modules to organize code into manageable units. When attempting to perform a relative import, Python relies on the presence of a parent package to resolve the import statement. However, if Python cannot identify the parent package, it raises the "ImportError."

Error Syntax:

ImportError: attempted relative import with no known parent package

Below are some of the reasons why ImportError: attempted relative import with no known parent package occurs in Python:

• Incorrect package structure
• Missing __init__.py file

Incorrect Package Structure

One common reason for this error is an incorrect or inconsistent package structure. Python expects a specific structure to recognize packages and modules correctly. If the package structure deviates from this standard, Python may fail to identify the parent package.

Example of Incorrect Structure:

my_package/

│── module.py

│── main.py

module.py:

def hello():
    print("Hello from module.py")

main.py:

from .module import hello  # Relative import

def main():
    hello()

if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()

Output

Missing __init__.py File

Common cause of this error is a missing __init__.py file in the package directory. This file tells Python that the directory should be treated as a package. Without __init__.py, Python will not recognize the folder as a package, leading to the ImportError.

Example of Missing __init__.py File

folder/

│── main.py

│── utils.py (Missing `__init__.py` file)

main.py:

from .utils import some_function

def main():
    some_function()

if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()

Output

Solution: ImportError: Attempted Relative Import With No Known Parent Package

Below are the solution for ImportError: Attempted Relative Import With No Known Parent Package in Python:

• Correct Package Structure
• Create __init__.py File

Correct Package Structure

To fix the error, remove relative imports when running the script directly, or execute the script using the -m flag.

Corrected main.py

from module import hello  # Use absolute import instead of relative

def main():
    hello()

if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()

Output

Hello from module.py

Create __init__.py File

To ensure Python recognizes the package, create an __init__.py file in the directory.

folder/

│── __init__.py # This file is required for Python to recognize the package

│── utils.py

│── main.py

utils.py:

def some_function():
    print("This is some_function() from utils.py")

main.py:

from utils import some_function  # Absolute import

def main():
    some_function()

if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()

Output

This is some_function() from utils.py