User scoped python.defaultInterpreterPath is constantly overwritten #25629
Description
Type: Bug
Behaviour
When attempting to set:
"python.defaultInterpreterPath": "${workspaceFolder}/backend/.venv/bin/python3"
in the user scope settings, reloading the extension causes replacement of that variable with:
"python.defaultInterpreterPath": "/usr/bin/python3",
Note: I see the file update live around when the last two lines in the Python log display:
[info] Starting Pylance language server.
[info] Discover tests for workspace name: undefined - uri: /Users/username/Library/Application Support/Code/User/settings.json
There are also some errors in the logs below.
Steps to reproduce:
- Set "python.defaultInterpreterPath": "${workspaceFolder}/backend/.venv/bin/python3" in user settings.json
- Reload window/quit
- New value is "python.defaultInterpreterPath": "/usr/bin/python3"
Diagnostic data
Output for Python in the Output panel (View→Output, change the drop-down the upper-right of the Output panel to Python)
2025-12-04 16:20:11.529 [info] Telemetry level is off
2025-12-04 16:20:11.529 [info] Experiments are disabled, only manually opted experiments are active.
2025-12-04 16:20:11.793 [info] > pyenv which python
2025-12-04 16:20:11.793 [info] cwd: .
2025-12-04 16:20:11.835 [info] > conda info --json
2025-12-04 16:20:11.837 [info] > ~/.anaconda/bin/conda info --json
2025-12-04 16:20:11.888 [info] Active interpreter [/Users/username/dev/workspace-name]: /usr/bin/python3
2025-12-04 16:20:11.971 [info] Active interpreter [/Users/username/dev/workspace-name]: /Users/username/dev/workspace-name/backend/.venv/bin/python
2025-12-04 16:20:11.972 [info] Discover tests for workspace name: workspace-name - uri: /Users/username/dev/workspace-name
2025-12-04 16:20:11.980 [info] > . ./backend/.venv/bin/activate && echo 'e8b39361-0157-4923-80e1-22d70d46dee6' && python ~/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.python-2025.18.0-darwin-arm64/python_files/printEnvVariables.py
2025-12-04 16:20:11.980 [info] shell: bash
2025-12-04 16:20:11.981 [info] > . ./backend/.venv/bin/activate && echo 'e8b39361-0157-4923-80e1-22d70d46dee6' && python ~/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.python-2025.18.0-darwin-arm64/python_files/printEnvVariables.py
2025-12-04 16:20:11.981 [info] shell: bash
2025-12-04 16:20:11.986 [error] getActivatedEnvironmentVariables Error: Command failed: . /Users/username/dev/workspace-name/backend/.venv/bin/activate && echo 'e8b39361-0157-4923-80e1-22d70d46dee6' && python /Users/username/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.python-2025.18.0-darwin-arm64/python_files/printEnvVariables.py
bash: line 1: 55171 Killed: 9 python /Users/username/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.python-2025.18.0-darwin-arm64/python_files/printEnvVariables.py
at genericNodeError (node:internal/errors:983:15)
at wrappedFn (node:internal/errors:537:14)
at ChildProcess.exithandler (node:child_process:418:12)
at ChildProcess.emit (node:events:531:35)
at maybeClose (node:internal/child_process:1101:16)
at Socket.<anonymous> (node:internal/child_process:456:11)
at Socket.emit (node:events:519:28)
at Pipe.<anonymous> (node:net:346:12) {
code: 137,
killed: false,
signal: null,
cmd: ". /Users/username/dev/workspace-name/backend/.venv/bin/activate && echo 'e8b39361-0157-4923-80e1-22d70d46dee6' && python /Users/username/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.python-2025.18.0-darwin-arm64/python_files/printEnvVariables.py"
}
2025-12-04 16:20:11.989 [error] getActivatedEnvironmentVariables Error: Command failed: . /Users/username/dev/workspace-name/backend/.venv/bin/activate && echo 'e8b39361-0157-4923-80e1-22d70d46dee6' && python /Users/username/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.python-2025.18.0-darwin-arm64/python_files/printEnvVariables.py
bash: line 1: 55172 Killed: 9 python /Users/username/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.python-2025.18.0-darwin-arm64/python_files/printEnvVariables.py
at genericNodeError (node:internal/errors:983:15)
at wrappedFn (node:internal/errors:537:14)
at ChildProcess.exithandler (node:child_process:418:12)
at ChildProcess.emit (node:events:531:35)
at maybeClose (node:internal/child_process:1101:16)
at Socket.<anonymous> (node:internal/child_process:456:11)
at Socket.emit (node:events:519:28)
at Pipe.<anonymous> (node:net:346:12) {
code: 137,
killed: false,
signal: null,
cmd: ". /Users/username/dev/workspace-name/backend/.venv/bin/activate && echo 'e8b39361-0157-4923-80e1-22d70d46dee6' && python /Users/username/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.python-2025.18.0-darwin-arm64/python_files/printEnvVariables.py"
}
2025-12-04 16:20:22.426 [info] Starting Pylance language server.
2025-12-04 16:20:22.703 [info] Discover tests for workspace name: undefined - uri: /Users/username/Library/Application Support/Code/User/settings.json
Extension version: 2025.18.0
VS Code version: Code 1.106.3 (Universal) (bf9252a2fb45be6893dd8870c0bf37e2e1766d61, 2025-11-25T22:28:18.024Z)
OS version: Darwin arm64 24.4.0
Modes:
- Python version (& distribution if applicable, e.g. Anaconda): 3.9.6.final.0
- Type of virtual environment used (e.g. conda, venv, virtualenv, etc.): System
- Value of the
python.languageServersetting: Pylance
User Settings
languageServer: "Pylance"
Installed Extensions
| Extension Name | Extension Id | Version |
|---|---|---|
| Bookmarks | ale | 13.5.0 |
| chatgpt | ope | 0.4.49 |
| claude-code | Ant | 2.0.58 |
| code-runner | for | 0.12.2 |
| continue | Con | 1.2.11 |
| copilot | Git | 1.388.0 |
| copilot-chat | Git | 0.33.4 |
| datawrangler | ms- | 1.24.0 |
| debugpy | ms- | 2025.16.0 |
| gitlens | eam | 17.7.1 |
| js-debug | ms- | 1.105.0 |
| js-debug-companion | ms- | 1.1.3 |
| jupyter | ms- | 2025.9.1 |
| jupyter-keymap | ms- | 1.1.2 |
| jupyter-renderers | ms- | 1.3.0 |
| live-server | ms- | 0.4.16 |
| pylint | ms- | 2025.2.0 |
| python | ms- | 2025.18.0 |
| rainbow-csv | mec | 3.23.0 |
| remote-containers | ms- | 0.431.1 |
| remote-explorer | ms- | 0.5.0 |
| remote-server | ms- | 1.5.3 |
| remote-ssh | ms- | 0.120.0 |
| remote-ssh-edit | ms- | 0.87.0 |
| remote-wsl | ms- | 0.104.3 |
| sql-developer | Ora | 25.3.2 |
| vscode-js-profile-table | ms- | 1.0.10 |
| vscode-jupyter-cell-tags | ms- | 0.1.9 |
| vscode-jupyter-slideshow | ms- | 0.1.6 |
| vscode-pylance | ms- | 2025.10.3 |
| vscode-python-envs | ms- | 1.12.0 |
| vscode-remote-extensionpack | ms- | 0.26.0 |
| vscode-tailwindcss | bra | 0.14.29 |
| vscode-yaml | red | 1.19.1 |
System Info
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| CPUs | Apple M3 Max (16 x 2400) |
| GPU Status | 2d_canvas: enabled direct_rendering_display_compositor: disabled_off_ok gpu_compositing: enabled multiple_raster_threads: enabled_on opengl: enabled_on rasterization: enabled raw_draw: disabled_off_ok skia_graphite: enabled_on trees_in_viz: disabled_off video_decode: enabled video_encode: enabled webgl: enabled webgl2: enabled webgpu: enabled webnn: disabled_off |
| Load (avg) | 4, 4, 4 |
| Memory (System) | 64.00GB (1.45GB free) |
| Process Argv | |
| Screen Reader | no |
| VM | 0% |