How To Fix: “Errno::ENOENT: No such file or directory @ rb_sysopen – undefined” Grunt Error

While setting up a grunt.js file, I ran into the following stubborn error.

Running "sass:dist" (sass) task
Errno::ENOENT: No such file or directory @ rb_sysopen - undefined
  Use --trace for backtrace.

After having Googled several solutions to the problem. I ended up updating my Ruby and uninstalling and re-installing nodejs among other things.

It turns out I had a misspelling in the directory of the key-data pair inside the grunt.js file.

I missed it because it was on a line that was off the screen.

This error can at times appear to be a more serious issue than it really is.

So remember to check your grunt.js file proper syntax first. You just might save yourself some trouble.

...
 // Project configuration.
  grunt.initConfig({
    pkg: grunt.file.readJSON('package.json'),
    sass: {                              
       dist: {                            
         options: {                      
           style: 'expanded'
         },
         files: {                        
           'path/to/the/css/content/style.css': 'destination/path/to/the/other/--->misspelling-here<---/css/content/style.css'
         }
        }
      },
...
  });
...

12 thoughts on “How To Fix: “Errno::ENOENT: No such file or directory @ rb_sysopen – undefined” Grunt Error


  1. Thanks so much for adding the “rb_sysopen – undefined” to the error. You’re the only page I found with the solution! … Just a stupid typo “scss” dir instead of “sass”… Frustrating!!


    1. Ha! That’s why I included that detail. Very gratifying to know it was helpful.


    1. I’m glad you were able to benefit! Happy Grunting! Whoah! that just sounds “wrong”!


    1. A common frustration. I’m so glad it helped. This was not an easy error to decipher.


  2. Thanks! Everyone else was saying it was a Ruby gem problem, but your article caused me to reexamine my grunt config versus my file names. Saved the day!


  3. I am developing a Rails 5 app, i have this error but i don’t know where is the grunt.js file?

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