diff --git a/Python/import.c b/Python/import.c
index 23dd7b4..0d50f5b 100644
--- a/Python/import.c
+++ b/Python/import.c
@@ -931,7 +931,11 @@
 {
 	FILE *fp;
 	time_t mtime = srcstat->st_mtime;
-	mode_t mode = srcstat->st_mode;
+#ifdef MS_WINDOWS   /* since Windows uses different permissions  */
+	mode_t mode = srcstat->st_mode & ~S_IEXEC;
+#else
+	mode_t mode = srcstat->st_mode & ~S_IXUSR & ~S_IXGRP & ~S_IXOTH;
+#endif 
 
 	fp = open_exclusive(cpathname, mode);
 	if (fp == NULL) {