diff --git a/Lib/test/test_import.py b/Lib/test/test_import.py
index f47c6c9635e..da4fe3ba73a 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_import.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_import.py
@@ -431,6 +431,18 @@ class RelativeImportTests(unittest.TestCase):
         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(ImportTests, PycRewritingTests, PathsTests, RelativeImportTests)
diff --git a/Misc/NEWS b/Misc/NEWS
index b81eb70aa65..1c4e174389b 100644
--- a/Misc/NEWS
+++ b/Misc/NEWS
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@ What's New in Python 2.7 Release Candidate 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 7abe6795725..990ee51311e 100644
--- a/Python/import.c
+++ b/Python/import.c
@@ -2134,7 +2134,8 @@ 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;