The crystal structure of [VO(HPO4)(C12H8N2)]n consists of a bis(vanadyl hydrogen phosphate) skeleton that assumes a linear ribbon conformation; the nitrogen heterocycles that chelate to the VIV atoms are connected to the sides of the flat ribbon. The compound is isostructural with the hydrogen arsenate, whose structure has been reported by Hou et al. [Inorg. Chem. Commun. (2004). 7, 128–130]. The asymmetric unit, with the exception of one O atom, lies on a mirror plane