Skip to content
Latchkey

Perl "Attempt to reload X aborted" in CI

A module failed to compile the first time it was required. Perl records the failed load in %INC, so any subsequent require/use of the same file reports "Attempt to reload ... aborted" instead of retrying. The real error is the first compilation failure.

What this error means

Later requires die with "Attempt to reload Foo/Bar.pm aborted. Compilation failed in require at ... line N", while the first failure (a syntax error or missing dependency) appeared earlier.

perl
Attempt to reload Foo/Bar.pm aborted.
Compilation failed in require at t/load.t line 8.

Common causes

The module failed its first compilation

A syntax error, a missing dependency, or a die at load time caused the initial require to fail; %INC then blocks reloading it.

A missing transitive dependency inside the module

The module uses something not installed in CI, so it never compiles, and every requiring file sees the reload-aborted message.

How to fix it

Find and fix the first compilation failure

  1. Scroll up to the first error before the reload-aborted line.
  2. Fix the syntax error or install the missing dependency it names.
  3. Verify the module compiles on its own with perl -c.
Terminal
perl -Ilib -c lib/Foo/Bar.pm

Install the missing dependency the module needs

If the first failure was a missing module, install it so the initial require compiles cleanly.

Terminal
cpanm --notest --installdeps .

How to prevent it

  • Compile-check modules with perl -c before running the suite.
  • Install all runtime and test dependencies before requiring modules.
  • Read the first error, not the cascade of reload-aborted messages.

Frequently asked questions

What causes ""Attempt to reload ... aborted""?
A syntax error, a missing dependency, or a die at load time caused the initial require to fail; %INC then blocks reloading it.
How do I fix "Attempt to reload ... aborted"?
Find and fix the first compilation failure

Related guides

References

Latchkey auto-heals failures like this one - detected, fixed, and retried without you. Start free → 30-day trial · No credit card