diff --git a/Python/import.c b/Python/import.c
index df00802..194e360 100644
--- a/Python/import.c
+++ b/Python/import.c
@@ -2385,7 +2385,8 @@
     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;