diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 0e9c4c1ef83f..29fca69044f7 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 ### Features
 
+* `[jest-runtime]` Prevent modules from marking themselves as thier own parent
+  ([#5235](https://github.com/facebook/jest/issues/5235))
 * `[expect]` Add support for async matchers
   ([#5836](https://github.com/facebook/jest/pull/5919))
 * `[expect]` Suggest toContainEqual
diff --git a/packages/jest-runtime/src/__tests__/runtime_require_mock.test.js b/packages/jest-runtime/src/__tests__/runtime_require_mock.test.js
index 38dab7d03279..f86118ed963c 100644
--- a/packages/jest-runtime/src/__tests__/runtime_require_mock.test.js
+++ b/packages/jest-runtime/src/__tests__/runtime_require_mock.test.js
@@ -173,10 +173,10 @@ describe('Runtime', () => {
         expect(exports.isManualMockModule).toBe(true);
       });
     });
+
     it('provides `require.main` in mock', () =>
       createRuntime(__filename).then(runtime => {
-        runtime._moduleRegistry[__filename] = module;
-        runtime.setMock(__filename, 'export_main', () => require.main, {
+        runtime.setMock(__filename, 'export_main', () => module, {
           virtual: true,
         });
         const mainModule = runtime.requireMock(__filename, 'export_main');
diff --git a/packages/jest-runtime/src/index.js b/packages/jest-runtime/src/index.js
index 8c5619bab736..d179cdfbb81b 100644
--- a/packages/jest-runtime/src/index.js
+++ b/packages/jest-runtime/src/index.js
@@ -327,7 +327,9 @@ class Runtime {
         // $FlowFixMe
         localModule.exports = require(modulePath);
       } else {
-        this._execModule(localModule, options, moduleRegistry, from);
+        // Only include the fromPath if a moduleName is given. Else treat as root.
+        const fromPath = moduleName ? from : null;
+        this._execModule(localModule, options, moduleRegistry, fromPath);
       }
 
       localModule.loaded = true;
@@ -392,7 +394,10 @@ class Runtime {
         id: modulePath,
         loaded: false,
       };
-      this._execModule(localModule, undefined, this._mockRegistry, from);
+
+      // Only include the fromPath if a moduleName is given. Else treat as root.
+      const fromPath = moduleName ? from : null;
+      this._execModule(localModule, undefined, this._mockRegistry, fromPath);
       this._mockRegistry[moduleID] = localModule.exports;
       localModule.loaded = true;
     } else {
@@ -493,7 +498,7 @@ class Runtime {
     localModule: Module,
     options: ?InternalModuleOptions,
     moduleRegistry: ModuleRegistry,
-    from: Path,
+    from: ?Path,
   ) {
     // If the environment was disposed, prevent this module from being executed.
     if (!this._environment.global) {
@@ -517,7 +522,8 @@ class Runtime {
       ({
         enumerable: true,
         get() {
-          return moduleRegistry[from] || null;
+          const key = from || '';
+          return moduleRegistry[key] || null;
         },
       }: Object),
     );