5.5. "Site list is missing: mailman" error after upgrade

After upgrading from 2.1b3 to 2.1.2, Mailman refused to restart. I used the previously valid startup command:

   /usr/bin/python2 /home/mailman/bin/mailmanctl -s -q start

but received the error

   Site list is missing: mailman

This version of mailman requires a "site wide" list. Instructions for this are included in section 8 of the installation manual.

See also 4.25 What is the purpose of the site-wide mailing list?

Converted from the Mailman FAQ Wizard

This is one of many Frequently Asked Questions.