stripe-python Using to_dict_recursive() on StripeObject

The Fix

Fixes an issue where StripeObjects in lists would not be converted to dictionaries in the to_dict_recursive() method.

Based on closed stripe/stripe-python issue #695 · PR/commit linked

Production note: Most teams hit this during upgrades or environment changes. Roll out with a canary and smoke critical endpoints (health, OpenAPI/docs) before 100%.

Jump to Verify Open PR/Commit

@@ -278,11 +278,20 @@ def to_dict(self):
 
     def to_dict_recursive(self):
-        d = dict(self)
-        for k, v in six.iteritems(d):
-            if isinstance(v, StripeObject):

repro.py

import stripe
stripe.api_key = 'sk_test_...'
balance = stripe.Balance.retrieve()
balance_dict = balance.to_dict_recursive()
print(balance_dict)

verify

Re-run the minimal reproduction on your broken version, then apply the fix and re-run.

fix.md

Option A — Apply the official fix\nFixes an issue where StripeObjects in lists would not be converted to dictionaries in the to_dict_recursive() method.\nWhen NOT to use: Do not use this fix if you require the original StripeObject structure.\n\n

Why This Fix Works in Production

Trigger: Issue: If you use the method `to_dict_recursive()` on a `StripeObject` that hat lists of `StripeObject`s as values, the content of the lists will not be…
Mechanism: The to_dict_recursive() method did not convert StripeObjects in lists to dictionaries

Production impact:

If left unfixed, the same config can fail only in production (env differences), causing startup failures or partial feature outages.

Why This Breaks in Prod

Shows up under Python 3.7.2 in real deployments (not just unit tests).
The to_dict_recursive() method did not convert StripeObjects in lists to dictionaries
Production symptom (often without a traceback): Issue: If you use the method `to_dict_recursive()` on a `StripeObject` that hat lists of `StripeObject`s as values, the content of the lists will not be recursively changed to a dictionary.

Proof / Evidence

GitHub issue: #695
Fix PR: https://github.com/stripe/stripe-python/pull/698
Reproduced locally: No (not executed)
Last verified: 2026-02-11
Confidence: 0.70
Did this fix it?: Yes (upstream fix exists)
Own content ratio: 0.66

Discussion

High-signal excerpts from the issue thread (symptoms, repros, edge-cases).

Jump to Sources Open on GitHub

“Flagging the code has been merged but we're experiencing some delays with the released of the new version. I'll update this thread once it's live!”

@remi-stripe · 2020-12-02 · confirmation · source

“Okay the version 2.55.1 should now be out!”

@remi-stripe · 2020-12-02 · source

Failure Signature (Search String)

Issue: If you use the method `to_dict_recursive()` on a `StripeObject` that hat lists of `StripeObject`s as values, the content of the lists will not be recursively changed to a
I'll open a PR with a simple fix. I'm not sure what a good style guide on list comprehensions is so you might want to change it, but the idea of the PR is fairly straightforward.

Copy-friendly signature

signature.txt

Failure Signature
-----------------
Issue: If you use the method `to_dict_recursive()` on a `StripeObject` that hat lists of `StripeObject`s as values, the content of the lists will not be recursively changed to a dictionary.
I'll open a PR with a simple fix. I'm not sure what a good style guide on list comprehensions is so you might want to change it, but the idea of the PR is fairly straightforward.

Error Message

Signature-only (no traceback captured)

error.txt

Error Message
-------------
Issue: If you use the method `to_dict_recursive()` on a `StripeObject` that hat lists of `StripeObject`s as values, the content of the lists will not be recursively changed to a dictionary.
I'll open a PR with a simple fix. I'm not sure what a good style guide on list comprehensions is so you might want to change it, but the idea of the PR is fairly straightforward.

Minimal Reproduction

repro.py

import stripe
stripe.api_key = 'sk_test_...'
balance = stripe.Balance.retrieve()
balance_dict = balance.to_dict_recursive()
print(balance_dict)

Environment

Python: 3.7.2

What Broke

Using to_dict_recursive() resulted in incomplete dictionary representations of StripeObjects.

Why It Broke

The to_dict_recursive() method did not convert StripeObjects in lists to dictionaries

Fix Options (Details)

Option A — Apply the official fix

Fixes an issue where StripeObjects in lists would not be converted to dictionaries in the to_dict_recursive() method.

When NOT to use: Do not use this fix if you require the original StripeObject structure.

Fix reference: https://github.com/stripe/stripe-python/pull/698

Last verified: 2026-02-11. Validate in your environment.

When NOT to Use This Fix

Do not use this fix if you require the original StripeObject structure.

Verify Fix

verify

Re-run the minimal reproduction on your broken version, then apply the fix and re-run.

Did This Fix Work in Your Case?

Quick signal helps us prioritize which fixes to verify and improve.

Prevention

Capture the exact failing error string in logs and tests so you can reproduce via a minimal script.
Pin production dependencies and upgrade only with a reproducible test that hits the failing path.

Related Issues

No related fixes found.

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Sources

We don’t republish the full GitHub discussion text. Use the links above for context.

stripe-python Using to_dict_recursive() on StripeObject containing with lists of StripeObjects (Fix)