diff --git a/tests/import/builtin_import.py b/tests/import/builtin_import.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..088f631fcd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/import/builtin_import.py
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+# test calling builtin import function
+
+# basic test
+__import__('builtins')
+
+# first arg should be a string
+try:
+    __import__(1)
+except TypeError:
+    print('TypeError')
+
+# level argument should be non-negative
+try:
+    __import__('xyz', None, None, None, -1)
+except ValueError:
+    print('ValueError')