The files directive is used to include files containing classes, check [documentation][1]. You could include the file in the .module file. require_once __DIR__ . '/includes/blocks.inc'; **Edit**: Included the other solutions added by @Beebee and @Jimajamma in the answer: require_once drupal_get_path('module', 'mymodulename') . '/includes/blocks.inc'; module_load_include('inc', 'MY_MODULE', 'FILE_NAME'); // This method is including a file residing in the module folder not in a subdirectory. [1]: https://drupal.org/node/542202