diff --git a/mode/perl.py b/mode/perl.py
index 022f395..50cc9f7 100644
--- a/mode/perl.py
+++ b/mode/perl.py
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ class PerlViewWordPerldoc(Method):
             cmd = "perldoc -t -T '%s'" % (word,)
         perllib = w.application.config.get('perl.lib')
         if perllib:
-            cmd = 'PERL5LIB=%r %s' % cmd
+            cmd = 'PERL5LIB=%r %s' % (w.mode.perllib, cmd)
         (status, data) = commands.getstatusoutput(cmd)
         if status == 0:
             return data