The title compound, [ZnCl2(C13H20N2O2)], was first reported in the monoclinic space group P21/n [Han et al. (2010 ▶). Acta Cryst. E66, m469]. This investigation reveals a triclinic polymorph in the space group P-1 with an asymmetric unit that contains two independent molecules of the mononuclear zinc(II) complex. In each molecule, the ZnII atoms are coordinated in a bidentate fashion by the phenolate O and imine N atoms of the Schiff base ligand. Two Cl− anions complete the tetrahedral coordination in each case. The most obvious difference between the two forms is that the Zn—L (L = O, N, Cl) bond lengths in both unique molecules are longer than those found in the monoclinic polymorph, or indeed in other similar complexes. In the crystal, molecules are linked through N—H⋯O and N—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, forming chains along the b axis.