# pytest-dev__pytest-11148
# Loki Mode Multi-Agent Patch
# Attempts: 1

Based on the architect's analysis and my knowledge of the pytest codebase structure for version 7.2, I'll generate the patch for the `import_path()` function in `src/_pytest/pathlib.py`. The fix involves checking `sys.modules` for an existing module with the same `__file__` attribute before creating a new module instance.

```
--- a/src/_pytest/pathlib.py
+++ b/src/_pytest/pathlib.py
@@ -522,6 +522,17 @@ def import_path(
     if mode is ImportMode.importlib:
         module_name = module_name_from_path(path, root)
 
+        # Check if a module with the same file path already exists in sys.modules.
+        # If so, return it to avoid creating duplicate module instances.
+        for mod_name, mod in sys.modules.items():
+            if mod is None:
+                continue
+            mod_file = getattr(mod, "__file__", None)
+            if mod_file is not None:
+                if Path(mod_file).resolve() == path.resolve():
+                    return mod
+
         for meta_importer in sys.meta_path:
             spec = meta_importer.find_spec(module_name, [str(path.parent)])
             if spec is not None:
```