[Fixed] TypeError: NoneType can’t be used in ‘await’ Expression — Python Async

In this article, we will discuss the explore what this error object nonetype can’t be used in ‘await’ expression means, why it occurs, and how you can fix it. In creating the python program, you cannot avoid to encounter errors which is common occurrence.

One of the error that you might encounter while working in Python is the “typeerror: object nonetype can’t be used in ‘await’ expression” error. This error can be frustrating and confusing into your mind, especially if you are not familiar with asynchronous programming or Python’s asyncio library.

Why the object nonetype can’t be used in ‘await’ expression error occur?

The “typeerror: object ‘nonetype’ can’t be used in ‘await’ expression” error is a type error that occurs because you are trying to use the ‘await’ keyword with an object that has a value of None. In Python, the None object means the absence of a value, and it is similar to null in other programming languages.

Other common possible reason the error occur

The following are the common possible reason the error occurs:

• Forgetting to return a value from a coroutine.
• Calling a function that doesn’t return anything.
• Using an object that has a value of None.

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• typeerror an asyncio.future a coroutine or an awaitable is required

How to solve the object nonetype can’t be used in ‘await’ expression?

The object NoneType can’t be used in ‘await’ expression error occurs when you are trying to use the await keyword on a variable that is None. This will happen if a function or method you are calling returns None instead of an awaited coroutine.

To solve this error, you need to make sure that the function or method you are calling actually returns an awaited coroutine, and not None. Here are some examples of how to do this:

import asyncio
async def my_coroutine():
    return "Welcome to the tutorial for object nonetype can't be used in 'await' expression"

async def my_async_function():
    result = await my_coroutine()
    return result

# call my_async_function
result = asyncio.run(my_async_function())
print(result)

In this example, my_coroutine() is a coroutine function that returns a string. my_async_function() is an asynchronous function that calls my_coroutine() using the await keyword, and returns its result. To call my_async_function(), you can use the asyncio.run() function.

If you run the code above, the output is look like this:

C:\Users\Dell\PycharmProjects\pythonProject\venv\Scripts\python.exe C:\Users\Dell\PycharmProjects\pythonProject\main.py
Welcome to the tutorial for object nonetype can’t be used in ‘await’ expression

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Conclusion

In conclusion, make sure that the functions you are calling return an awaited coroutine, so that you can avoid the TypeError: object NoneType can’t be used in ‘await’ expression error.

Why NoneType TypeErrors happen so often

Python returns None from many functions when there is nothing meaningful to return: from methods that mutate in place (list.append, dict.update), from lookups that miss (dict.get with no default), and from any function that ends without an explicit return. When you use that None as if it were the expected value, you get a TypeError.

Common triggers of NoneType TypeError

• Method chaining on mutating operations. sorted(list) returns a new sorted list, but list.sort() sorts in place and returns None. Never write x = my_list.sort().
• Print statements accidentally assigned. x = print(value) assigns None, not value.
• Missing return in a function. A function that only has if branches without returns falls through to an implicit return None.
• Dictionary lookups with missing key. value = my_dict.get(key) returns None if key is missing. Provide a default: my_dict.get(key, default_value).
• Regex match returning None. re.search returns None if no match. Guard with an if before .group().

Working diagnostic pattern

# BAD — silent None propagation
def get_config(env):
    if env == "prod":
        return {"db": "prod-cluster"}
    # No else — implicit return None

config = get_config("staging")
print(config["db"])  # TypeError: 'NoneType' object is not subscriptable

# GOOD — explicit branch handling
def get_config(env):
    if env == "prod":
        return {"db": "prod-cluster"}
    if env == "staging":
        return {"db": "staging-cluster"}
    raise ValueError(f"Unknown env: {env}")

Best practices

• Use type hints (Python 3.6+). Type-checkers like mypy or Pyright catch these before runtime.
• Prefer Optional[T] when a function may return None. Callers must handle the None case.
• Fail fast at boundaries. Raise an explicit exception in helper functions rather than returning None silently.

Adones Evangelista

Programmer & Technical Writer at PIES IT Solution

Adones Evangelista is a programmer and writer at PIES IT Solution, author of over 900 tutorials and error-fix guides at itsourcecode.com. Specializes in JavaScript, Django, Laravel, and Python error debugging covering ValueError, TypeError, AttributeError, ModuleNotFoundError, and RuntimeError, plus C/C++ and PHP capstone projects for BSIT students.

Expertise: JavaScript · Python · Django · Laravel · Error Debugging · C/C++
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