class X(object): def __hash__(self): return 5 def __eq__(self, other): if resizing: d.clear() return False d = {} resizing = False d[X()] = 1 d[X()] = 2 d[X()] = 3 d[X()] = 4 d[X()] = 5 # now trigger a resize resizing = True d[9] = 6 # ^^^ I get Segmentation fault or Illegal instruction here.