The error originates from UNIVERSAL::VERSION, which is called as Socket->VERSION(1.3); by use Socket 1.3;

The error can be recreated by executing that line without first loading the module.

$ perl -e'Socket->VERSION(1.3)'
Socket defines neither package nor VERSION--version check failed at -e
+ line 1.
[download]

The only explanation I can fathom (other than a bug) is that Perl thinks the module has been loaded when it hasn't.

$ perl -e'BEGIN { $INC{"Socket.pm"}=1; } use Socket 1.3'
Socket defines neither package nor VERSION--version check failed at -e
+ line 1.
BEGIN failed--compilation aborted at -e line 1.
[download]

Are you playing with %INC or using some kind of packager?

Even looking at it can vivify it in some circumstances.

$ perl -e'BEGIN { 1 for $INC{"Socket.pm"}; } use Socket 1.3'
Socket defines neither package nor VERSION--version check failed at -e
+ line 1.
BEGIN failed--compilation aborted at -e line 1.
[download]

What do you get if you place the following before use IO::Socket;

BEGIN {
    if (exists($INC{"Socket.pm"}) {
        if (defined($INC{"Socket.pm"}) {
            warn(">>> \"$INC{"Socket.pm"}\"\n");
        } else {
            warn(">>> undef\n");
        }
    } else {
        warn(">>> absent\n");
    }
}
[download]

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