diff --git a/Lib/test/test_imp.py b/Lib/test/test_imp.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ebecf82
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Lib/test/test_imp.py
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+
+import imp
+import unittest
+from test_support import TestFailed
+
+class ImpLock(unittest.TestCase):
+
+    # XXX this test is woefully inadequate, please fix me
+    def testLock(self):
+        LOOPS = 50
+        for i in range(LOOPS):
+            imp.acquire_lock()
+        for i in range(LOOPS):
+            imp.release_lock()
+
+        for i in range(LOOPS):
+            try:
+                imp.release_lock()
+            except RuntimeError:
+                pass
+            else:
+                raise TestFailed, \
+                    "release_lock() without lock should raise RuntimeError"
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    test_support.run_unittest(ImpLock)