embedded daemon response max depth exceeded

Last updated Apr 30, 2025

• Tools docker

This error is usually caused by a self referencing docker build.

Take the example:

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FROM ubuntu:latest
RUN apt-get update 

If, when building this image you tag the built image with ubuntu:latest by using the following command:

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docker build -t ubuntu:latest .

The first build may succeed but subsequent builds will fail.

This error might also be seen when using Docker Compose.

The following docker-compose.yml file when combined with the above Dockerfile will produce the same error as under the hood it will result in the same build command being executed.

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services:
  application:
      build: .
      image: ubuntu:latest