Raised when a DROP or REVOKE statement fails because privilege records that depend on the target object or role still exist.
dependent_privilege_descriptors_still_exist arises in PostgreSQL when you try to drop a role or object that still owns or is referenced by privilege entries. Revoke or drop those dangling privileges first with REVOKE/DROP OWNED or CASCADE, then rerun the original command to clear the error.
PostgreSQL Error 2B000
PostgreSQL raises the 2B000 – dependent_privilege_descriptors_still_exist error when you attempt to drop a role, schema, table, or other database object that still has privilege descriptors referencing it.
The catalog cannot safely remove the target until every dependent Access Control List (ACL) entry is cleared.
PostgreSQL blocks the operation to protect privilege integrity, leaving you with this error.
The error appears most often when you issue DROP ROLE, DROP OWNED, or DROP SCHEMA commands without first revoking grants that other objects or roles still hold.
It can also occur during REASSIGN OWNED or REVOKE ALL statements if dependent ACL entries remain on linked databases, schemas, or functions.
Failed pg_restore runs that attempt to drop old roles may hit the same check.
Locate and remove every dangling grant before retrying the original DROP. Use catalog queries on pg_depend, pg_roles, and pg_default_acl to find blockers quickly.
Common remedies include REVOKE ALL PRIVILEGES, DROP OWNED BY role_name, or adding the CASCADE keyword to the DROP command.
After ACL cleanup, the original statement succeeds.
Dropping a role after migrations: run REASSIGN OWNED BY old_role TO new_owner, then DROP OWNED BY old_role.
Removing a schema referenced by routines: add CASCADE to DROP SCHEMA or explicitly revoke the routines’ EXECUTE privilege first.
Always audit ACLs with information_schema.role_table_grants before destructive DDL.
Script REVOKE sequences into migration tools.
Use Galaxy’s SQL editor to run pre-drop checks and share vetted cleanup queries in a Collection so teammates avoid repeating the error.
2B001 – dependent_objects_still_exist surfaces when objects, not privileges, block a drop. Resolve by dropping or cascading the dependent objects.
42704 – undefined_object triggers when the object named in a DROP statement never existed or was already dropped; verify spelling and catalog state.
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CASCADE instructs PostgreSQL to automatically drop dependent ACL entries and objects, eliminating the need for manual revokes.
Yes, when combined with REASSIGN OWNED, it safely transfers ownership, then removes remaining ACLs so the role can be deleted.
Galaxy’s AI copilot suggests REVOKE and DROP OWNED sequences and lets teams share endorsed cleanup scripts, preventing future privilege issues.
The 2B000 class has existed since early 9.x releases. Behavior is consistent, but newer versions expose more helper commands like ALTER DEFAULT PRIVILEGES.
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