In [CpMo(SPh)(CO)(CN(t)Bu)(2)], Cp = eta(5)-C5H5, the Mo atom adopts conventional four-legged piano-stool coordination geometry; a pair of cis CN(t)Bu ligands, together with carbonyl and benzenthiolato groups, make up the base. The Mo-CN(t)Bu bond lengths [2.053 (4) Angstrom trans to S, 2.086 (4) Angstrom trans to CO] show a small but significant difference.