$ perldoc cpan |grep -i force -C2 and CPAN version. -f Force the specified action, when it normally would have failed. Use this to install a module even if its tests fail. When you use this option, -i is not optional for installing a module when you need to force it: % cpan -f -i Module::Foo -- cpan -i Netscape::Booksmarks Business::ISBN # force install modules ( must use -i ) cpan -fi CGI::Minimal URI -- CREDITS Japheth Cleaver added the bits to allow a forced install (-f). Jim Brandt suggest and provided the initial implementation for the #### ! - run me as a root or with --sudo option | - run me with --local-lib option ! #### export PERL_MB_OPT=--install_base /home/user/devstuff export PERL_MM_OPT=INSTALL_BASE=/home/user/devstuff export PERL5LIB=/home/user/devstuff/perl5 cpanp i WWW::Mechanize --force --skiptest