diff --git a/Python/import.c b/Python/import.c
index 1b93b7c096b..bd0d18ac310 100644
--- a/Python/import.c
+++ b/Python/import.c
@@ -2827,6 +2827,7 @@ PyImport_ImportModuleLevelObject(PyObject *name, PyObject *given_globals,
         if (msg != NULL) {
             PyErr_SetFromImportErrorWithName(msg, abs_name);
         }
+        mod = NULL;
         goto error_with_unlock;
     }
     else if (mod != NULL) {