diff --git a/modules/python/package/cv2/__init__.py b/modules/python/package/cv2/__init__.py
index f8e631382c..086fc48dec 100644
--- a/modules/python/package/cv2/__init__.py
+++ b/modules/python/package/cv2/__init__.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ def bootstrap():
     BINARIES_PATHS = []
 
     g_vars = globals()
-    l_vars = locals()
+    l_vars = locals().copy()
 
     if sys.version_info[:2] < (3, 0):
         from . load_config_py2 import exec_file_wrapper