This test requires that we put the system in a particular state, which requires us to revert certain commits Create a new branch, based on integration (the branch name might be master, MOODLE_36_STABLE or MOODLE_35_STABLE depending on which version you're currently testing): git checkout master git checkout -b myrevertbranch Revert the commits 33e385a5fb224c3 (from MDL-37757 ) and the commit from this issue: master: git revert 33e385a5fb224c3 git revert c7bd047d244985f3f7c02f1d4fc262a2219f575a -m 1 36: git revert 33e385a5fb224c3 git revert 8f0bd4fb15e66f6947fe705aa4d07e4f122982a0 -m 1 35: git revert 33e385a5fb224c3 git revert f6b4c923ec8dc0838b06d59a798fed769ba5a007 -m 1 Create file system repository instance (site level), making sure to check "Allow relative files" Make sure you have at least one file in the directory used by the file system repository Create a file activity in a course. Pick a file from repository and tick 'Create an alias/shortcut to the file' Delete the file system repository instance via site admin Now, checkout the main branch again (this might be master, MOODLE_36_STABLE or MOODLE_35_STABLE depending on which version you're currently testing): git checkout master Run the upgrade. Visit the course, and verify you don't see any errors. Delete the course which was using the repository file and verify this completes without any errors.