No warning for unused import in __init__.py

[rrthomas]

Bug description

In a directory tmp I put the following code as __init__.py:

"""Test module"""
import sys

Pylint 3.3.3 reports no problems with this code:

$ pylint __init__.py 

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Your code has been rated at 10.00/10 (previous run: 0.00/10, +10.00)

This is odd, as I have an unused import.

If I copy the same code to test.py and rerun pylint, I get the expected error:

$ pylint test.py
************* Module tmp.test
test.py:2:0: W0611: Unused import sys (unused-import)

-----------------------------------
Your code has been rated at 0.00/10

Configuration

Command used

pylint test.py

Pylint output

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Your code has been rated at 10.00/10 (previous run: 0.00/10, +10.00)

Expected behavior

__init___.py:2:0: W0611: Unused import sys (unused-import)

-----------------------------------
Your code has been rated at 0.00/10

Pylint version

pylint 3.3.3
astroid 3.3.8
Python 3.12.3 (main, Nov  6 2024, 18:32:19) [GCC 13.2.0]

OS / Environment

Ubuntu 24.04

Additional dependencies

[zenlyj]

by default unused-import checks are skipped for __init__.py files, but you may enable the check using the init-import configuration.

pylint --init-import yes __init__.py

alternatively specify in your pylintrc file:

[VARIABLES]
init-import=yes  # this is "no" by default

[rrthomas]

Thanks, it never occurred to me that this would be deliberate behaviour! I found the documentation for the flag, but for those of us whose primary interaction with Pylint is via errors in our IDE (in my case, VS Codium), it would be nice if it could be documented in the warning's page (I checked https://pylint.readthedocs.io/en/latest/user_guide/messages/warning/unused-import.html and found no mention), along with a rationale (I don't understand why this happens, it has merely confused and then annoyed me!).

Also, particular thanks for your quick and helpful reply @zenlyj.

[rrthomas]

Much appreciated, many thanks! I'm sure future me, having forgotten all of this, will benefit from the documentation.