Surgical services in Papua New Guinea (PNG) have seen an increase in admissions of patients with diabetic septic foot (DSF). Perception and beliefs about the causes of foot ulcer in PNG differ from medical evidence and may play a role in foot-related behaviours among DSF patients. This hospital-based prospective case series study examined the reasons for late presentation among 30 DSF patients in Nonga General Hospital from October 2013 to October 2014. Belief in sorcery was the most common cause of late presentation. Those who chose more than one home treatment were the most likely to present late, and those who presented late had a higher chance of getting a lower extremity amputation than those who presented early.