diff --git a/lib/document.js b/lib/document.js
index 81d51a2ce3e..8d35993da8a 100644
--- a/lib/document.js
+++ b/lib/document.js
@@ -741,6 +741,10 @@ function init(self, obj, doc, opts, prefix) {
 
   function _init(index) {
     i = keys[index];
+    // avoid prototype pollution
+    if (i === '__proto__' || i === 'constructor') {
+      return;
+    }
     path = prefix + i;
     schemaType = docSchema.path(path);
 
diff --git a/test/document.test.js b/test/document.test.js
index 1e6c9ef7afd..5a5945cd57e 100644
--- a/test/document.test.js
+++ b/test/document.test.js
@@ -12212,6 +12212,24 @@ describe('document', function() {
     const fromDb = await Test.findById(x._id).lean();
     assert.equal(fromDb.c.x.y, 1);
   });
+
+  it('avoids prototype pollution on init', async function() {
+    const Example = db.model('Example', new Schema({ hello: String }));
+
+    const example = await new Example({ hello: 'world!' }).save();
+    await Example.findByIdAndUpdate(example._id, {
+      $rename: {
+        hello: '__proto__.polluted'
+      }
+    });
+
+    // this is what causes the pollution
+    await Example.find();
+
+    const test = {};
+    assert.strictEqual(test.polluted, undefined);
+    assert.strictEqual(Object.prototype.polluted, undefined);
+  });
 });
 
 describe('Check if instance function that is supplied in schema option is availabe', function() {