diff -r 2d802765d31f Python/import.c
--- a/Python/import.c	Mon Oct 28 19:16:21 2013 +0100
+++ b/Python/import.c	Mon Oct 28 19:39:17 2013 +0100
@@ -1455,6 +1455,11 @@ PyImport_ImportModuleLevelObject(PyObjec
         }
     }
     else {
+        if (_Py_Finalizing) {
+            PyErr_SetString(PyExc_ImportError, "__import__ blocked Python finalization");
+            goto error;
+        }
+
         /* _bootstrap._find_and_load() releases the import lock */
         mod = _PyObject_CallMethodIdObjArgs(interp->importlib,
                                             &PyId__find_and_load, abs_name,