diff --git a/Lib/test/test_import.py b/Lib/test/test_import.py
index 8ed6b8f7951..5d23b290d1f 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_import.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_import.py
@@ -417,6 +417,19 @@ def check_relative():
         self.assertRaises(ValueError, check_absolute)
         self.assertRaises(ValueError, check_relative)
 
+    def test_absolute_import_without_future(self):
+        # If absolute import syntax is used, then do not try to perform
+        # a relative import in the face of failure.
+        # Issue #7902.
+        try:
+            from .os import sep
+        except ImportError:
+            pass
+        else:
+            self.fail("explicit relative import triggered an "
+                      "implicit relative import")
+
+
 def test_main(verbose=None):
     run_unittest(ImportTest, TestPycRewriting, PathsTests, RelativeImport)
 
diff --git a/Misc/NEWS b/Misc/NEWS
index ee4bf2b7875..6a9c0f3a589 100644
--- a/Misc/NEWS
+++ b/Misc/NEWS
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@ What's New in Python 2.6.6 alpha 1?
 Core and Builtins
 -----------------
 
+- Issue #7902: When using explicit relative import syntax, don't try
+  implicit relative import semantics.
+
 - Issue #7079: Fix a possible crash when closing a file object while using
   it from another thread.  Patch by Daniel Stutzbach.
 
diff --git a/Python/import.c b/Python/import.c
index da660cff7a9..07f572000fe 100644
--- a/Python/import.c
+++ b/Python/import.c
@@ -2130,7 +2130,8 @@ import_module_level(char *name, PyObject *globals, PyObject *locals,
     if (parent == NULL)
         return NULL;
 
-    head = load_next(parent, Py_None, &name, buf, &buflen);
+    head = load_next(parent, level < 0 ? Py_None : parent, &name, buf,
+                        &buflen);
     if (head == NULL)
         return NULL;