theskumar / theskumar/python-dotenv

dotenv get exits with code 1 for empty string values

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Description

Description

dotenv get KEY treats an empty string value as missing because the CLI uses a truthiness check (if stored_value:) instead of testing for key presence / None.

Empty values are valid in .env files (KEY= or KEY=""). The library API already returns them correctly via get_key / dotenv_values; only the CLI get command is wrong.

Steps to reproduce

import subprocess, sys, tempfile
from pathlib import Path
from dotenv import set_key

with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as directory:
    path = Path(directory) / ".env"
    set_key(path, "EMPTY", "")
    result = subprocess.run(
        [sys.executable, "-m", "dotenv", "-f", str(path), "get", "EMPTY"],
        capture_output=True,
        text=True,
    )
    print(result.returncode, repr(result.stdout))

Expected behavior

0 ''

(exit code 0, empty value printed)

Actual behavior

1 ''

(exit code 1 — same as a missing key)

dotenv get ZERO with ZERO=0 works (exit 0), so only falsy-but-present empty strings are affected.

Environment

  • python-dotenv: 1.2.3 (current main)
  • Python: 3.14
  • OS: Windows

Suggested fix

In src/dotenv/cli.py get, distinguish missing/None from an empty string, e.g. exit only when the key is absent or the stored value is None.

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start in src/dotenv/cli.py at the dotenv get command and inspect how it distinguishes a missing key from an empty value. Reproduce the issue with the Python subprocess example in the report; done means an existing empty value prints an empty string and exits with code 0, while a missing key still exits with code 1.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
python
Domain
cli
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
2/5
Estimated time
1-3 hours
Activity status
Active
Clarity
Clearly specified
Newbie friendliness
88/100

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