In the title complex, [Mo(C16H13N3O2)O2(CH3OH)], the deprotonated Schiff base (E)-N'-[(Z)-4-oxido-4-phenyl-but-3-en-2-yl-idene]isonicotinohydrazide coordinates in a meridional fashion through the enolate O-, imine N- and amidate O-atom donors to the Mo atom of a cis-[MoO2](2+) core. The sixth coordination site of molybdenum is occupied by the O atom of a methanol mol-ecule. In this complex, the NO5 coordination sphere adopts a distorted octa-hedral coordination geometry. The metal atom is shifted by 0.335 (1) Å from the square plane defined by the three donor atoms of the Schiff base ligand and one oxide group towards the second oxide group in the cis position. In the crystal, the complex forms inversion dimers through a pair of O-H⋯N hydrogen bonds involving the methanol -OH group and the pyridine N atom. Additional C-H⋯O contacts stack the mol-ecules along the b axis.