diff --git a/src/_pytest/config/__init__.py b/src/_pytest/config/__init__.py
index 21dc35219d8..4a5796c7de7 100644
--- a/src/_pytest/config/__init__.py
+++ b/src/_pytest/config/__init__.py
@@ -1518,7 +1518,10 @@ def parse(self, args: list[str], addopts: bool = True) -> None:
         self._parser.addini("addopts", "Extra command line options", "args")
         self._parser.addini("minversion", "Minimally required pytest version")
         self._parser.addini(
-            "pythonpath", type="paths", help="Add paths to sys.path", default=[]
+            "pythonpath",
+            type="paths",
+            help="Add paths to sys.path",
+            default=[self._parser.extra_info["rootdir"]],
         )
         self._parser.addini(
             "required_plugins",