diff --git a/Lib/test/test_import.py b/Lib/test/test_import.py
index bf689ae..512759d 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_import.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_import.py
@@ -468,6 +468,17 @@
         ns = dict(__package__=object())
         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")
 
 class OverridingImportBuiltinTests(unittest.TestCase):
     def test_override_builtin(self):
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;