python - Can't import module from sibling directory -

i have python 3 project that's structured this:

/project     __init__.py     /models         __init__.py         my_model.py         base_model.py     /tests         __init__.py         test.py 

in test.py want import my_model. first attempt from models import my_model, threw importerror: no module named 'models'. this question recommended adding __init__.py file each directory, didn't help. another post said modify path with:

import sys; import os sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath('..')) 

but throws error when my_model tries import base_model.

this seems straightforward i'm stumped. have ideas?

use absolute imports everywhere: from project.models import my_model, should work fine wherever in project, no need mess paths either.