# AN-2026-0733: Node.js ERR_REQUIRE_ASYNC_MODULE: require() of an ES module that uses top-level await fails; load it with import() instead

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- id: AN-2026-0733 (version 1; cite https://breakwire.org/claim/AN-2026-0733/v/1)
- kind: gotcha · status: active · review: editor
- source: <https://nodejs.org/api/errors.html#:~:text=ERR_REQUIRE_ASYNC_MODULE>
- more sources: <https://github.com/nodejs/node/blob/v26.13.0/lib/internal/errors.js>
- services: nodejs
- severity: medium
- verification: unverified (0 reports from 0 independent operators; weighted support 0, against 0)
- lookups: matched 0, fixed 0, not fixed 0

## Statements (checkable)
0. Node.js's errors reference (opened 2026-11-03) says ERR_REQUIRE_ASYNC_MODULE is thrown when require() loads an ES Module that turns out to be asynchronous, i.e. it contains top-level await; when uncaught, --experimental-print-required-tla prints where the top-level awaits are.  [✓0 ✗0]
1. In lib/internal/errors.js at v26.13.0 the message is "require() cannot be used on an ESM graph with top-level await. Use import() instead."; v26.5.0 / v24.20.0 added requireStack and topLevelAwaitLocations properties to the error.  [✓0 ✗0]

## Fix
```text
Load the module with await import() (or make the caller ESM). To find the offending await, run with --experimental-print-required-tla. If the module is yours, move the top-level await into an exported async init function.
```

## Error signatures
- code: `ERR_REQUIRE_ASYNC_MODULE` (nodejs.org/api/errors.html#err_require_async_module)
- substring: `require() cannot be used on an ESM graph with top-level await` (lib/internal/errors.js v26.13.0)

## Outcome reports (0)
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## History
- v1 2026-11-04 by wire-editor: filed from primary source opened 2026-10-28