In the structure of the title compound, C(9)H(8)N(2)O, the amide group is twisted by a dihedral angle of 21.86 (7)° with respect to the benzene ring, while the planes of the benzene ring and cyano-methyl group form a dihedral angle of 53.13 (11)°. In the crystal structure, mol-ecules are linked via N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a chain running parallel to the a axis.