The complex (di-2-pyridyl sulfide-N,N')dichlorooxovanadium(IV), [VOCl2(C10H8N2S)], was prepared by the reaction of VCl3 and sodium 2-mercaptopyridine N-oxide in ethanol solution under an atmosphere of argon. The N atoms of the dipyridyl sulfide ligand and the two chloride ligands coordinate to the oxovanadium(IV) ion, to give a complex with square-pyramidal geometry. The dipyridyl sulfide ligand forms a folded six-membered chelate ring with a larger N-V-N bite angle than that formed by 2,2'-bipyridyl.