gdm outputs the error "gdm_session_direct_set_environment_variable: assertion `value != NULL' failed"

Solution Verified - Updated -

Environment

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • GNOME Desktop Environment
  • XDMCP

Issue

  • gdm outputs the following error:
gdm-simple-slave[26893]: CRITICAL: gdm_session_direct_set_environment_variable: assertion `value != NULL' failed

Resolution

This is specific error when using XDMCP, it does not affect a system. You can safely ignore this message.

Root Cause

The error is caused by XDMCP.

The error shows that NULL value was included in variables when gdm-simple-slave process forked from gdm set environment variables for desktop environment.

The environment variable of a process forked from gdm is NULL, because gdm starting from XDMCP cannot derive WINDOWPATH environment variable from existing Xorg process.

  • Component
  • gdm

This solution is part of Red Hat’s fast-track publication program, providing a huge library of solutions that Red Hat engineers have created while supporting our customers. To give you the knowledge you need the instant it becomes available, these articles may be presented in a raw and unedited form.

Comments