diff --git a/_distutils_hack/__init__.py b/_distutils_hack/__init__.py
index b8410e1fc8..2bc6df7ac7 100644
--- a/_distutils_hack/__init__.py
+++ b/_distutils_hack/__init__.py
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ def spec_for_distutils(self):
         class DistutilsLoader(importlib.abc.Loader):
 
             def create_module(self, spec):
-                return importlib.import_module('._distutils', 'setuptools')
+                return importlib.import_module('setuptools._distutils')
 
             def exec_module(self, module):
                 pass
diff --git a/changelog.d/2352.misc.rst b/changelog.d/2352.misc.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..79dda996fe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/2352.misc.rst
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+In distutils hack, use absolute import rather than relative to avoid bpo-30876.