How do I fix "/usr/bin/env: 'python2': No such file or directory"?

Port the script to Python 3 and use a `python3` shebang/interpreter. Install a specific Python 3 minor version by name if needed, e.g. `sudo dnf install -y python3.11`. Update Dockerfiles, user-data, and CI that invoke `python2` / `pip2`. There is no supported way to install Python 2 on AL2023 — migrate the code. Source: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/linux/al2023/ug/compare-with-al2.html

Amazon Linux 2023

/usr/bin/env: 'python2': No such file or directory

/usr/bin/env: 'python2': No such file or directory

What it means

Amazon Linux 2023 ships no Python 2 — only Python 3 is available.

Why it happens

Amazon Linux 2 shipped Python 2.7; AL2023 removed it entirely. Scripts with a `#!/usr/bin/python2` shebang, `python2` calls, or tools assuming Python 2 fail on AL2023.

How to fix it

Port the script to Python 3 and use a `python3` shebang/interpreter.
Install a specific Python 3 minor version by name if needed, e.g. `sudo dnf install -y python3.11`.
Update Dockerfiles, user-data, and CI that invoke `python2` / `pip2`.
There is no supported way to install Python 2 on AL2023 — migrate the code.

Related deadline: Amazon Linux 2 EOL — 2026-06-30.

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Primary source: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/linux/al2023/ug/compare-with-al2.html

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