diff --git a/_pytest/monkeypatch.py b/_pytest/monkeypatch.py
index c82ffd053..78db6064d 100644
--- a/_pytest/monkeypatch.py
+++ b/_pytest/monkeypatch.py
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ from __future__ import absolute_import, division, print_function
 import os
 import sys
 import re
+from contextlib import contextmanager
+
 import six
 from _pytest.fixtures import fixture
 
@@ -106,6 +108,29 @@ class MonkeyPatch(object):
         self._cwd = None
         self._savesyspath = None
 
+    @contextmanager
+    def context(self):
+        """
+        Context manager that returns a new :class:`MonkeyPatch` object which
+        undoes any patching done inside the ``with`` block upon exit:
+
+        .. code-block:: python
+
+            import functools
+            def test_partial(monkeypatch):
+                with monkeypatch.context() as m:
+                    m.setattr(functools, "partial", 3)
+
+        Useful in situations where it is desired to undo some patches before the test ends,
+        such as mocking ``stdlib`` functions that might break pytest itself if mocked (for examples
+        of this see `#3290 <https://github.com/pytest-dev/pytest/issues/3290>`_.
+        """
+        m = MonkeyPatch()
+        try:
+            yield m
+        finally:
+            m.undo()
+
     def setattr(self, target, name, value=notset, raising=True):
         """ Set attribute value on target, memorizing the old value.
         By default raise AttributeError if the attribute did not exist.
diff --git a/changelog/3290.feature b/changelog/3290.feature
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a40afcb1a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog/3290.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+``monkeypatch`` now supports a ``context()`` function which acts as a context manager which undoes all patching done
+within the ``with`` block.
diff --git a/doc/en/monkeypatch.rst b/doc/en/monkeypatch.rst
index a2327d4fa..b25e07f9a 100644
--- a/doc/en/monkeypatch.rst
+++ b/doc/en/monkeypatch.rst
@@ -61,6 +61,22 @@ so that any attempts within tests to create http requests will fail.
     ``compile``, etc., because it might break pytest's internals. If that's
     unavoidable, passing ``--tb=native``, ``--assert=plain`` and ``--capture=no`` might 
     help although there's no guarantee.
+
+.. note::
+
+    Mind that patching ``stdlib`` functions and some third-party libraries used by pytest
+    might break pytest itself, therefore in those cases it is recommended to use
+    :meth:`MonkeyPatch.context` to limit the patching to the block you want tested:
+
+    .. code-block:: python
+
+        import functools
+        def test_partial(monkeypatch):
+            with monkeypatch.context() as m:
+                m.setattr(functools, "partial", 3)
+                assert functools.partial == 3
+
+    See issue `#3290 <https://github.com/pytest-dev/pytest/issues/3290>`_ for details.
     
 
 .. currentmodule:: _pytest.monkeypatch
diff --git a/testing/test_monkeypatch.py b/testing/test_monkeypatch.py
index 4427908ab..36ef083f7 100644
--- a/testing/test_monkeypatch.py
+++ b/testing/test_monkeypatch.py
@@ -327,3 +327,15 @@ def test_issue1338_name_resolving():
         monkeypatch.delattr('requests.sessions.Session.request')
     finally:
         monkeypatch.undo()
+
+
+def test_context():
+    monkeypatch = MonkeyPatch()
+
+    import functools
+    import inspect
+
+    with monkeypatch.context() as m:
+        m.setattr(functools, "partial", 3)
+        assert not inspect.isclass(functools.partial)
+    assert inspect.isclass(functools.partial)