It was described as a new species in 1913 by British zoologist Oldfield Thomas.

The holotype used to describe this species was collected during one of Wollaston's expeditions to New Guinea.

[2] In his initial description of the species, Thomas noted that it was similar in appearance to the Fly River roundleaf bat, Hipposideros muscinus.

It differs from the Fly River roundleaf bat in that its posterior nose-leaf has a "peculiar duplication" behind it.

[1] It is currently evaluated as least concern by the IUCN—its lowest conservation priority.