The title compound, C(16)H(16)N(2)O(2), was synthesized using a novel tandem annulation reaction between 1-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)ethanone and ethyl (E)-4-bromo-but-2-enoate under mild conditions. The dihedral angles formed by the mean plane of the five-membered imidazole ring with the dihydro-pyridin and benzene rings are 1.54 (9) and 1.85 (9)°, respectively.