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#16346·dbt-core

[v2 Bug] Overridden `create_schema` not respected

Author: jeremyyeoCreated Sep 17, 2026Updated Sep 17, 2026
Labelstype:bugstatus:triagearea:adaptersengine:v2triagebugsnowflakev2

Is this a new bug in dbt v2.x compared to the latest version of dbt 1.x?

  • I believe this is a new bug in dbt v2.x
  • I have searched the existing issues and could not find a duplicate

Current Behavior

A common pattern in v1 is to override the macro that creates schemas when they don't exist (create_schema). Users do this for various reasons - e.g. I want to block my users from doing so, or they want to do that with special DDL from the one out of the box.

https://github.com/dbt-labs/dbt-adapters/blob/2d5a9cef960651178bb66bb068eb0efaca8c7c59/dbt-adapters/src/dbt/include/global_project/macros/adapters/schema.sql#L1-L9

In v2, the overridden macro is ignored.

Expected Behavior

Do as per v1.

Steps To Reproduce

yaml
# dbt_project.yml
name: dbt_basic_5
profile: sf

models:
  dbt_basic_5:
    +materialized: table
    +schema: a_brand_new_schema

v1

sql
-- macros/override.sql
{% macro create_schema(relation) %}
  {{ log(">>> Custom create_schema override for " ~ relation.without_identifier(), info=True) }}
  {%- call statement('create_schema') -%}
    select 'not allowed to create schemas' as can_you
  {% endcall %}
{% endmacro %}

-- models/foo.sql
select 1 c
bash
$ dbt --debug run
...
15:27:11  Concurrency: 4 threads (target='dev')
15:27:11  
15:27:11  Acquiring new snowflake connection 'master'
15:27:11  Acquiring new snowflake connection 'list_db'
15:27:11  Using snowflake connection "list_db"
15:27:11  On list_db: show terse schemas in database db
    limit 10000
/* {"app": "dbt", "dbt_version": "1.11.11", "profile_name": "sf", "target_name": "dev", "connection_name": "list_db"} */
15:27:11  Opening a new connection, currently in state init
15:27:12  SQL status: SUCCESS 143 in 0.626 seconds
15:27:12  Re-using an available connection from the pool (formerly list_db, now create_db_dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema)
15:27:12  Creating schema "database: "db"
schema: "dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema"
"
15:27:12  >>> Custom create_schema override for db.dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema
15:27:12  Using snowflake connection "create_db_dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema"
15:27:12  On create_db_dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema: select 'not allowed to create schemas' as can_you
/* {"app": "dbt", "dbt_version": "1.11.11", "profile_name": "sf", "target_name": "dev", "connection_name": "create_db_dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema"} */
15:27:12  SQL status: SUCCESS 1 in 0.077 seconds
15:27:12  Re-using an available connection from the pool (formerly create_db_dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema, now list_db_dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema)
15:27:12  Acquiring new snowflake connection 'list_db_dbt_jyeo'
15:27:12  Using snowflake connection "list_db_dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema"
15:27:12  Using snowflake connection "list_db_dbt_jyeo"
15:27:12  On list_db_dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema: show objects in db.dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema
    limit 10000
    

/* {"app": "dbt", "dbt_version": "1.11.11", "profile_name": "sf", "target_name": "dev", "connection_name": "list_db_dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema"} */;
15:27:12  On list_db_dbt_jyeo: show objects in db.dbt_jyeo
    limit 10000
    

/* {"app": "dbt", "dbt_version": "1.11.11", "profile_name": "sf", "target_name": "dev", "connection_name": "list_db_dbt_jyeo"} */;
15:27:12  Opening a new connection, currently in state init
15:27:12  Snowflake adapter: Snowflake query id: 01c7223f-090d-a710-000d-37836dd2f6ba
15:27:12  Snowflake adapter: Snowflake error: 002043 (02000): SQL compilation error:
Object does not exist, or operation cannot be performed.
15:27:12  Snowflake adapter: Error running SQL: macro list_relations_without_caching
15:27:12  Snowflake adapter: Rolling back transaction.
15:27:12  SQL status: SUCCESS 43 in 0.579 seconds
15:27:12  Sending event: {'category': 'dbt', 'action': 'runnable_timing', 'label': '64641730-da67-4e4f-ad54-426c21360f19', 'context': [<snowplow_tracker.self_describing_json.SelfDescribingJson object at 0x119ecf380>]}
15:27:12  Began running node model.dbt_basic_5.foo
15:27:12  1 of 1 START sql table model dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema.foo ................... [RUN]
...
15:27:13  On model.dbt_basic_5.foo: create or replace transient table db.dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema.foo 
    as (select 1 c
    )
/* {"app": "dbt", "dbt_version": "1.11.11", "profile_name": "sf", "target_name": "dev", "node_id": "model.dbt_basic_5.foo"} */;
15:27:13  Snowflake adapter: Snowflake query id: 01c7223f-090d-a6ab-000d-37836dd34032
15:27:13  Snowflake adapter: Snowflake error: 002003 (02000): SQL compilation error:
Schema 'DB.DBT_JYEO_A_BRAND_NEW_SCHEMA' does not exist or not authorized.
15:27:13  Database Error in model foo (models/foo.sql)
  002003 (02000): SQL compilation error:
  Schema 'DB.DBT_JYEO_A_BRAND_NEW_SCHEMA' does not exist or not authorized.
  compiled code at target/run/dbt_basic_5/models/foo.sql
15:27:13  Sending event: {'category': 'dbt', 'action': 'run_model', 'label': '64641730-da67-4e4f-ad54-426c21360f19', 'context': [<snowplow_tracker.self_describing_json.SelfDescribingJson object at 0x11a7bce60>]}
15:27:13  1 of 1 ERROR creating sql table model dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema.foo .......... [ERROR in 0.14s]
...

^ create_schema macro override resulted in the non existent schema to not be created and model not to be built - all expected.

v2

bash
$ dbtf run --log-level debug
       dbt 2.0.4
   Loading profiles.yml
   Started loading packages
    Loaded [  0.00s] packages
dbt State service disabled by configuration; executing normally
Snowflake driver resolved: snowflake 0.21.0.dev+dbt0.21.18
create_debug_span(...).entered() took 147.084µs
stmt.execute() (submit+wait_for_completion, returns reader) took 191.346917ms
reader.schema() took 709ns
batch-consume loop (for res in reader) took 1.235833ms
do_execute(conn) (closure: stmt.execute + schema + batch loop) took 193.811ms
concat_batches + normalize_result_column_names took 277.042µs
record_current_span_status_from_attrs took 51.416µs
Query executed on node unknown:
show terse schemas in database db
    limit 10000
/* {"app": "dbt", "connection_name": "", "dbt_version": "2.0.0", "profile_name": "sf", "target_name": "dev"} */
drop(query_span_guard) (span exit/export) took 53.625µs
create_debug_span(...).entered() took 31µs
stmt.execute() (submit+wait_for_completion, returns reader) took 215.920542ms
reader.schema() took 416ns
do_execute(conn) (closure: stmt.execute + schema + batch loop) took 217.936167ms
concat_batches + normalize_result_column_names took 14.25µs
record_current_span_status_from_attrs took 4.167µs
Query executed on node unknown:
create schema if not exists db.dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema
/* {"app": "dbt", "connection_name": "", "dbt_version": "2.0.0", "profile_name": "sf", "target_name": "dev"} */
drop(query_span_guard) (span exit/export) took 40.708µs
Started rendering model dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema.foo
Finished rendering [  0.00s] model dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema.foo [success]
Started analyzing model dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema.foo
Finished analyzing [  0.01s] model dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema.foo [success]
Started running model dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema.foo
create_debug_span(...).entered() took 13.583µs
stmt.execute() (submit+wait_for_completion, returns reader) took 153.820209ms
reader.schema() took 375ns
batch-consume loop (for res in reader) took 1.107334ms
do_execute(conn) (closure: stmt.execute + schema + batch loop) took 156.530167ms
concat_batches + normalize_result_column_names took 74.583µs
record_current_span_status_from_attrs took 4.791µs
Query executed on node model.dbt_basic_5.foo:
SHOW OBJECTS IN SCHEMA "DB"."DBT_JYEO_A_BRAND_NEW_SCHEMA" LIMIT 10000
drop(query_span_guard) (span exit/export) took 63µs
Writing runtime sql for node "model.dbt_basic_5.foo"
create_debug_span(...).entered() took 19.084µs
stmt.execute() (submit+wait_for_completion, returns reader) took 1.072657834s
reader.schema() took 458ns
do_execute(conn) (closure: stmt.execute + schema + batch loop) took 1.074700959s
concat_batches + normalize_result_column_names took 17.417µs
record_current_span_status_from_attrs took 5.125µs
Query executed on node model.dbt_basic_5.foo:
create or replace transient  table db.dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema.foo
    
    
    
    
    as (select 1 c
    )

/* {"app": "dbt", "dbt_version": "2.0.0", "node_id": "model.dbt_basic_5.foo", "profile_name": "sf", "target_name": "dev"} */
drop(query_span_guard) (span exit/export) took 79.042µs
Finished running [  1.24s] model dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema.foo [success]
 Succeeded model dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema.foo (table) [1 of 1 in 1.25s]

======================================================================================================================================================== Execution Summary ========================================================================================================================================================
Finished 'run' successfully for target 'dev' [9.5s]
Processed: 1 model
Summary: 1 total | 1 success

^ Override is skipped - schema is created - and model is created - unexpected.

Relevant log output

bash

Environment

markdown
- OS: macOS
- CPU: ARM
- dbt distribution and version: (`dbt --version`)
2.0.4

Which database adapter are you using?

snowflake

Is this a discrepancy vs. dbt 1.x?

  • Yes — this works in dbt 1.x but not in dbt v2.x

Additional Context

A workaround is to actually use the default namespace:

sql
{% macro default__create_schema(relation) %}
  {{ log(">>> Custom create_schema override for " ~ relation.without_identifier(), info=True) }}
  {%- call statement('create_schema') -%}
    select 'not allowed to create schemas' as can_you
  {% endcall %}
{% endmacro %}
bash
$ dbtf run --log-level debug
       dbt 2.0.4
   Loading profiles.yml
   Started loading packages
    Loaded [  0.00s] packages
dbt State service disabled by configuration; executing normally
Snowflake driver resolved: snowflake 0.21.0.dev+dbt0.21.18
create_debug_span(...).entered() took 127.834µs
stmt.execute() (submit+wait_for_completion, returns reader) took 241.023417ms
reader.schema() took 292ns
batch-consume loop (for res in reader) took 1.118167ms
do_execute(conn) (closure: stmt.execute + schema + batch loop) took 243.351458ms
concat_batches + normalize_result_column_names took 339.875µs
record_current_span_status_from_attrs took 44.875µs
Query executed on node unknown:
show terse schemas in database db
    limit 10000
/* {"app": "dbt", "connection_name": "", "dbt_version": "2.0.0", "profile_name": "sf", "target_name": "dev"} */
drop(query_span_guard) (span exit/export) took 52.459µs
>>> Custom create_schema override for db.dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema_2
create_debug_span(...).entered() took 19.417µs
stmt.execute() (submit+wait_for_completion, returns reader) took 175.242584ms
reader.schema() took 417ns
do_execute(conn) (closure: stmt.execute + schema + batch loop) took 178.83225ms
concat_batches + normalize_result_column_names took 26.125µs
record_current_span_status_from_attrs took 3.667µs
Query executed on node unknown:
select 'not allowed to create schemas' as can_you
/* {"app": "dbt", "connection_name": "", "dbt_version": "2.0.0", "profile_name": "sf", "target_name": "dev"} */
drop(query_span_guard) (span exit/export) took 47.791µs
Started rendering model dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema_2.foo
Finished rendering [  0.00s] model dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema_2.foo [success]
Started analyzing model dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema_2.foo
Finished analyzing [  0.01s] model dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema_2.foo [success]
Started running model dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema_2.foo
create_debug_span(...).entered() took 10.834µs
Query executed on node model.dbt_basic_5.foo:
SHOW OBJECTS IN SCHEMA "DB"."DBT_JYEO_A_BRAND_NEW_SCHEMA_2" LIMIT 10000
create_debug_span(...).entered() took 24.541µs
Query executed on node model.dbt_basic_5.foo:
show objects like 'FOO' in schema db.dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema_2
/* {"app": "dbt", "dbt_version": "2.0.0", "node_id": "model.dbt_basic_5.foo", "profile_name": "sf", "target_name": "dev"} */
Writing runtime sql for node "model.dbt_basic_5.foo"
create_debug_span(...).entered() took 32.5µs
Query executed on node model.dbt_basic_5.foo:
create or replace transient  table db.dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema_2.foo
    
    
    
    
    as (select 1 c
    )

/* {"app": "dbt", "dbt_version": "2.0.0", "node_id": "model.dbt_basic_5.foo", "profile_name": "sf", "target_name": "dev"} */
Finished running [  2.39s] model dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema_2.foo [error]
    Failed model dbt_jyeo_a_brand_new_schema_2.foo (table) [1 of 1 in 2.40s]

======================================================================================================================================================= Errors and Warnings =======================================================================================================================================================
[error] [DbDriverFailed (dbt1308)]: Database Error in model foo (target/run/dbt_basic_5/models/foo.sql)
  [Snowflake] 002003 (02000): SQL compilation error:
  Schema 'DB.DBT_JYEO_A_BRAND_NEW_SCHEMA_2' does not exist or not authorized.
  (in run/dbt_basic_5/models/foo.sql)

======================================================================================================================================================== Execution Summary ========================================================================================================================================================
Finished 'run' with 1 error for target 'dev' [7.2s]
Processed: 1 model
Summary: 1 total | 1 error

Though this would require a "behaviour/code change" from the users perspective.

Source: dbt-labs/dbt-core

View original on GitHubView discussion on GitHub