diff --git a/Python/pylifecycle.c b/Python/pylifecycle.c
index 7726ccc979d..9dc6e3f3112 100644
--- a/Python/pylifecycle.c
+++ b/Python/pylifecycle.c
@@ -2348,7 +2348,7 @@ static PyStatus
 add_main_module(PyInterpreterState *interp)
 {
     PyObject *m, *d, *ann_dict;
-    m = PyImport_AddModule("__main__");
+    m = PyImport_AddModuleObject(&_Py_ID(__main__));
     if (m == NULL)
         return _PyStatus_ERR("can't create __main__ module");