pytest "fixture 'db' not found" (pytest-django) in CI

By Kaveh Alemi·Latchkey

The db fixture is provided by the pytest-django plugin. If the plugin is not installed (or was disabled), pytest does not know the fixture and fails any test that requests it.

What this error means

A test errors during setup with "fixture 'db' not found" and lists the available fixtures, none of which include db - a sign pytest-django is missing or inactive.

E       fixture 'db' not found
>       available fixtures: cache, capfd, capsys, doctest_namespace, ...
>       use 'pytest --fixtures' for help on them.

Common causes

pytest-django is not installed

Without the plugin in the environment, its fixtures (db, client, ...) do not exist.

The plugin is disabled

A -p no:django flag or a missing DJANGO_SETTINGS_MODULE can prevent pytest-django from activating.

How to fix it

Install and configure pytest-django

1. Add pytest-django to the test dependencies.
2. Set DJANGO_SETTINGS_MODULE in pytest config so the plugin activates.
3. Re-run; the db fixture is now available.

pip install pytest-django

Declare the settings so the plugin loads

pytest-django needs the settings module to bootstrap its fixtures.

[pytest]
DJANGO_SETTINGS_MODULE = myproject.settings.test

How to prevent it

• Pin pytest-django in your test requirements.
• Set DJANGO_SETTINGS_MODULE in pytest config.
• Run pytest --fixtures to confirm the plugin is active.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

References

• Python documentation
• pip documentation
• GitHub Actions documentation