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Subject: BUG #19736: `JSON_OBJECT ... ABSENT ON NULL` accepts invalid keys
 when the value is NULL
To: pgsql-bugs@lists.postgresql.org
From: PG Bug reporting form <noreply@postgresql.org>
Cc: theshallow27@gmail.com
Reply-To: theshallow27@gmail.com, pgsql-bugs@lists.postgresql.org
Date: Fri, 02 Oct 2026 22:35:57 +0000
Message-ID: <19736-3a44617ea5534c77@postgresql.org>
Auto-Submitted: auto-generated
Archived-At: 
 <https://www.postgresql.org/message-id/19736-3a44617ea5534c77%40postgresql.org>
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The following bug has been logged on the website:

Bug reference:      19736
Logged by:          Shallow
Email address:      theshallow27@gmail.com
PostgreSQL version: 18.6
Operating system:   Linux
Description:       =20

When `ABSENT ON NULL` removes a pair because its value is SQL NULL,
`JSON_OBJECT` also skips validation of that pair's key. The documented
restrictions say that a key cannot be NULL and must be a scalar expression
without a cast to JSON. Those restrictions should still apply when the value
pair will be omitted.

**Reproduction:**

```sql
SELECT JSON_OBJECT((NULL::text) VALUE NULL::text
                   ABSENT ON NULL RETURNING json);

SELECT JSON_OBJECT((ARRAY[1,2]) VALUE NULL::text
                   ABSENT ON NULL RETURNING json);
```

**Actual result:** Both statements return `{}`.

**Expected result:** Both statements should reject the invalid key, as the
key
restrictions apply regardless of whether the value is omitted.