How to fix Error: Invalid path glob pattern in Terraform

TerraformBEGINNERMEDIUMUpdated Dec 30, 2025· 126 views

This error occurs when Terraform's fileset() function receives a malformed glob pattern. Terraform glob patterns follow POSIX syntax, and certain pattern combinations are invalid or unsupported, causing the configuration parsing to fail.

Quick fix

Fixes Error: Invalid path glob pattern

# Match all files in a directory
fileset(path.module, "files/*")

# Match files with specific extension
fileset(path.module, "*.tf")

# Recursively match files in all subdirectories
fileset(path.module, "files/**")

# Match specific files using brace expansion
fileset(path.module, "files/{hello,world}.txt")
  1. Validate your glob pattern syntax
  2. Fix recursive patterns correctly
  3. Use path.module for relative paths
  4. Test your pattern in terraform validate
terraform — error
# Match all files in a directory
fileset(path.module, "files/*")
# Match files with specific extension
fileset(path.module, "*.tf")
# Recursively match files in all subdirectories
fileset(path.module, "files/**")
# Match specific files using brace expansion
fileset(path.module, "files/{hello,world}.txt")
Error: Invalid path glob pattern

What this error means

Terraform uses glob patterns to match files in the fileset() function, commonly used with for_each to create multiple resources. A glob pattern is invalid when it violates POSIX syntax rules. For example, patterns like `/path**` are malformed because `**` must appear with proper path delimiters. The fileset() function is evaluated during configuration parsing (before Terraform takes any actions), so pattern errors prevent the configuration from being parsed at all. Invalid patterns typically include incorrect double-wildcard usage, mismatched brackets in brace expansion, or patterns that reference non-existent base paths.

Typical symptoms

  • Terraform validate or init fails with 'Error: Invalid path glob pattern'
  • Configuration fails to parse before any plan or apply operations
  • Error message shows the exact pattern that failed (e.g., '/path** is invalid')
  • Pattern works in shell but fails in Terraform (shell and Terraform glob syntax differ)
  • fileset() function call shows patterns with improper wildcard nesting

Common causes

  1. Using `/path**` instead of `/path*/**` for recursive patterns (most common)
  2. Mismatched or improperly escaped brackets in brace expansion patterns
  3. Attempting to use patterns that reference non-existent base paths
  4. Forgetting that fileset() requires paths relative to the module directory
  5. Using shell glob syntax that differs from Terraform's POSIX-style patterns
  6. Double wildcard (`**`) without proper path separators (e.g., `files**` instead of `files/**`)
  7. Typos or special characters in patterns that violate POSIX glob rules

How to fix "Error: Invalid path glob pattern"

1Validate your glob pattern syntax

Review your fileset() call and ensure the pattern follows POSIX glob rules. Common patterns:

hcl
# Match all files in a directory
fileset(path.module, "files/*")

# Match files with specific extension
fileset(path.module, "*.tf")

# Recursively match files in all subdirectories
fileset(path.module, "files/**")

# Match specific files using brace expansion
fileset(path.module, "files/{hello,world}.txt")

Double-check that your pattern doesn't contain syntax errors like unmatched brackets or improper wildcard usage.

2Fix recursive patterns correctly

If you intended to match files recursively, ensure your pattern uses the correct syntax:

hcl
# WRONG - this is invalid
fileset(path.module, "/configs**")

# CORRECT - recursive matching
fileset(path.module, "configs/**")

# Also correct - matches everything in a directory recursively
fileset(path.module, "**")

The key rule: ** must be surrounded by proper path delimiters. Use /path*/** instead of /path**.

3Use path.module for relative paths

Always use path.module as the base path for fileset(). This ensures Terraform correctly resolves paths relative to your module:

hcl
# Correct
resource "local_file" "configs" {
  for_each = fileset(path.module, "configs/*")
  filename = each.value
  content  = "..."
}

# Also works in subdirectories
for_each = fileset("${path.module}/templates", "*.tpl")

Don't use absolute paths or relative paths without proper module context.

4Test your pattern in terraform validate

Run terraform validate to catch pattern errors early:

bash
terraform validate

If validation still fails, the error message will show the exact pattern that's invalid. Use that feedback to refine your glob pattern syntax.

5Consider shell differences if migrating patterns

If you're using a glob pattern from a shell script or other tool, remember that Terraform glob syntax is slightly different:

bash
# Shell: uses character ranges
files/[abc].txt

# Terraform: same syntax works
fileset(path.module, "files/[abc].txt")

# Shell: uses extended globs (with shopt globstar)
files/** (in zsh/bash 4+)

# Terraform: always supports ** for recursion
fileset(path.module, "files/**")

Wrap your pattern in quotes to avoid shell expansion when running terraform commands.

Advanced notes

The fileset() function is evaluated during configuration parsing, not during apply, so it can only match files that already exist on disk before Terraform runs. This is important if you're generating files during apply and expecting to match them with fileset()—that won't work. For matching files that might not exist yet, consider using the local_file provider or data sources instead. If you need to match directories (not just files), the built-in fileset() function doesn't support that; you'd need to use the third-party terraform-provider-glob. When using brace expansion in patterns, remember that Terraform doesn't perform shell-like expansion—the pattern is passed directly to the glob matcher. Always test your patterns in a small configuration first before applying them to production resources.

Frequently asked questions

What does "Error: Invalid path glob pattern" mean?
Terraform uses glob patterns to match files in the fileset() function, commonly used with for_each to create multiple resources. A glob pattern is invalid when it violates POSIX syntax rules. For example, patterns like /path are malformed because must appear with proper path delimiters.
How do I fix "Error: Invalid path glob pattern"?
This error occurs when Terraform's fileset() function receives a malformed glob pattern. Terraform glob patterns follow POSIX syntax, and certain pattern combinations are invalid or unsupported, causing the configuration parsing to fail.
What causes "Error: Invalid path glob pattern"?
Using /path* instead of /path/** for recursive patterns (most common) Mismatched or improperly escaped brackets in brace expansion patterns Attempting to use patterns that reference non-existent base paths
Is the "Error: Invalid path glob pattern" error serious?
It is a medium-severity error — more of a blocker than a risk. The steps above resolve it.

Official resources & further reading