Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a frequent and severe complication in cirrhotic patients. Listeria monocytogenes is a rare cause of SBP, which should be suspected in individuals with impaired immunity such as advanced liver disease and inadequate response to standard antibiotic therapy. We report a case of a 72 year-old patient with liver cirrhosis secondary to alcohol consumption, asymptomatic carrier of Hepatitis B virus, diabetes Type II and coronary artery disease; who is admitted with a diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy and suspicion of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis receiving empiric antibiotic treatment with ceftriaxona. Initially he showed clinical response but a few days later he got worse. Ascitic culture confirmed infection by Listeria monocytogenes. Antibiotic treatment was adjusted but patient continued deteriorating progressively, and finally died due to renal dysfunction.