The three-dimensional structure of the carcinogenic nicotine-derived nitrosaminoketone, 4-(methyl-nitrosamino)-l-(3-pyridyl)-l-butanone, has been determined by X-ray crystallographic techniques. The molecule is essentially planar except for the methylnitrosamine group which is oriented at a dihedral angle of 68.7° to the pyridine ring. Molecules pack by way of —H⋯O interactions that involve the —NNO group.