diff --git a/django/utils/module_loading.py b/django/utils/module_loading.py
index adfd9f35d1..b0d7f215c0 100644
--- a/django/utils/module_loading.py
+++ b/django/utils/module_loading.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from importlib import import_module
 from importlib.util import find_spec as importlib_find
 
 
-def cached_import(module_path, class_name):
+def cached_import(module_path, attribute):
     # Check whether module is loaded and fully initialized.
     if not (
         (module := sys.modules.get(module_path))
@@ -13,12 +13,13 @@ def cached_import(module_path, class_name):
         and getattr(spec, "_initializing", False) is False
     ):
         module = import_module(module_path)
-    if not hasattr(module, class_name):
+    # Check whether attribute has been explicitly imported
+    if not hasattr(module, attribute):
         try:
-            import_module(f"{module_path}.{class_name}")
+            import_module(f"{module_path}.{attribute}")
         except ImportError:
             pass
-    return getattr(module, class_name)
+    return getattr(module, attribute)
 
 
 def import_string(dotted_path):
diff --git a/tests/utils_tests/test_module_loading.py b/tests/utils_tests/test_module_loading.py
index 42f07481f7..9a5576d507 100644
--- a/tests/utils_tests/test_module_loading.py
+++ b/tests/utils_tests/test_module_loading.py
@@ -137,6 +137,13 @@ class ModuleImportTests(SimpleTestCase):
         good_module = import_string("utils_tests.test_module.good_module")
         self.assertEqual(good_module.content, "Good Module")
 
+        sys.modules.pop("utils_tests.test_module")
+        import_string("utils_tests.test_module")
+        another_good_module = import_string(
+            "utils_tests.test_module.another_good_module"
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(another_good_module.content, "Another Good Module")
+
         # Test exceptions raised
         with self.assertRaises(ImportError):
             import_string("no_dots_in_path")