How to fix Error reading file: open in Terraform

TerraformINTERMEDIATEHIGHUpdated Dec 30, 2025· 142 views

Terraform cannot read a file due to incorrect path, missing file, or permission issues. This typically occurs when using the file() function or reading configuration files with relative paths that aren't resolved correctly.

Quick fix

Fixes Error reading file: open

# From your Terraform configuration directory
ls -la path/to/your/file.txt

# Or on Windows
dir path\to\your\file.txt
  1. Verify the file exists at the expected path
  2. Check your working directory
  3. Use path.module for relative paths in modules
  4. Check file permissions
terraform — error
# From your Terraform configuration directory
ls -la path/to/your/file.txt
# Or on Windows
dir path\to\your\file.txt
Error reading file: open

What this error means

The "Error reading file: open" message appears when Terraform attempts to open and read a file but fails at the operating system level. This happens with the file() function, backend configuration files, variable files (.tfvars), or module references. The error occurs during configuration parsing before any infrastructure changes are planned, so it's a configuration-time issue rather than a deployment-time problem.

Typical symptoms

  • terraform init, plan, or apply fails immediately when processing configuration files
  • Error message shows 'no such file or directory' for a file path that appears correct
  • file() function calls in modules fail but work in root configuration
  • Relative paths in file references don't resolve correctly across different working directories
  • Backend configuration or .tfvars files cannot be found or read

Common causes

  1. File path is incorrect or the file does not exist at the specified location
  2. Using relative paths in modules without path.module context, causing resolution relative to root instead
  3. Running terraform commands from the wrong working directory
  4. File permissions are too restrictive (read permission denied)
  5. Path contains special characters or spaces that aren't properly escaped
  6. Using absolute paths that contain symbolic links or are resolved differently on WSL

How to fix "Error reading file: open"

1Verify the file exists at the expected path

First, confirm the file exists in the location specified in your Terraform configuration.

bash
# From your Terraform configuration directory
ls -la path/to/your/file.txt

# Or on Windows
dir path\to\your\file.txt

If the file doesn't exist, create it or correct the path in your configuration.

2Check your working directory

Terraform resolves relative paths from your current working directory. Ensure you're running terraform commands from the directory containing your .tf files.

bash
# Verify you're in the right directory
pwd

# List .tf files to confirm
ls *.tf

# If needed, change to the correct directory
cd /path/to/terraform/config

In IDEs like VS Code, if the terminal is open within a file editor instead of the folder, you may need to open a new terminal from the folder level.

3Use path.module for relative paths in modules

When using the file() function within a Terraform module, always use path.module to resolve paths relative to the module directory, not the root module.

hcl
# WRONG - This resolves relative to root module
content = file("templates/script.sh")

# CORRECT - This resolves relative to the module directory
content = file("${path.module}/templates/script.sh")

This ensures the file is found regardless of where the module is called from.

4Check file permissions

Ensure Terraform has read permission on the file and execute permission on the parent directory.

bash
# Check file permissions
ls -l path/to/your/file.txt

# If needed, add read permission
chmod +r path/to/your/file.txt

# Ensure parent directory has execute permission
chmod +x path/to/

On most systems, files need at least 644 permissions (readable by owner, group, and others) for Terraform to access them.

5Verify path syntax and escaping

Ensure your file paths don't contain unescaped special characters or spaces.

hcl
# If path contains spaces, it should still work in strings
content = file("./my files/script.sh")

# Avoid unescaped backslashes on Windows; use forward slashes or proper escaping
# WRONG: content = file(".\scripts\script.sh")
# CORRECT: content = file("./scripts/script.sh")
# OR: content = file("${path.module}/scripts/script.sh")

Terraform handles both forward and backward slashes on Windows, but forward slashes are more portable.

6Check backend configuration file issues

If the error occurs with backend configuration (e.g., terraform init -backend-config=file.tfbackend), verify the file exists and is accessible.

bash
# Verify the backend config file exists
ls -la backend.tfbackend

# Test with explicit path if having issues
terraform init -backend-config="path/to/backend.tfbackend"

# On Terraform Cloud with local execution mode, ensure the working directory is correct
# in your workspace settings (Settings > General > Terraform Working Directory)

Advanced notes

When working with symbolic links (especially on WSL), Terraform may fail to read files because the symlink target's path is resolved differently. If you encounter persistent issues with symlinked directories, try using the absolute real path instead of the symlink path.

For Terraform Cloud with remote execution, the working directory setting in workspace settings is critical. If you specify a subdirectory as the working directory, all relative file paths must be resolved from that subdirectory, not from the repository root.

Module file resolution follows this logic: relative paths are resolved relative to the module's directory (where the .tf file is located), not the root configuration directory. This is why using path.module is essential for portable modules.

Frequently asked questions

What does "Error reading file: open" mean?
The "Error reading file: open" message appears when Terraform attempts to open and read a file but fails at the operating system level. tfvars), or module references. The error occurs during configuration parsing before any infrastructure changes are planned, so it's a configuration-time issue rather than a deployment-time problem.
How do I fix "Error reading file: open"?
Terraform cannot read a file due to incorrect path, missing file, or permission issues. This typically occurs when using the file() function or reading configuration files with relative paths that aren't resolved correctly.
What causes "Error reading file: open"?
File path is incorrect or the file does not exist at the specified location Using relative paths in modules without path.module context, causing resolution relative to root instead Running terraform commands from the wrong working directory
Is the "Error reading file: open" error serious?
Yes. This is a high-severity error that usually blocks work until it is fixed, but the steps above resolve it.

Official resources & further reading