[Django]-Google app engine + python (django) deployment error: Error loading MySQLdb module

The ‘Django Support’ documentation hints at the solution, but doesn’t make it explicit:

Since the standard django.db.backends.mysql backend uses MySQLdb internally, app.yaml must reference MySQLdb in the list of libraries.

Adding the following to app.yaml seems to fix the ImportError:

libraries:
- name: MySQLdb
  version: "latest"

Note that MySQLdb is not currently included in the list of available third party libraries. I tried it on a whim and it seems to have fixed the issue for me, YMMV.enter link description here

As the Cloud SQL docs clearly state, you should be using ''google.appengine.ext.django.backends.rdbms' as your database engine setting.

If it’s not working after adding the following to your app.yaml:

libraries:
- name: MySQLdb
  version: "latest"

…then take the following steps:

1. Ensure MySQLdb is installed pip install mysql-python on Mac
2. Ensure the GAE devserver is pointing to your virtualenv/pip’d python 2.7 installation vs. Mac/*nix’s default version as pip may not have installed it there. I resolved Can't find module: MySQLdb by updating the GAE devserver to use: /usr/local/bin/python2.7 e.g. in GAE devserver preferences for Python Path

Note: the preferences can be accessed through the application menus:

• If you’re using Windows: look under File > Preferences...
• If you’re using Mac, look under GoogleAppengineLauncher > Preferences...