The title compound, C17H15NO3, forms a hydrogen-bonded network in the solid state consisting of O-H ... O=C, C-arene-H ... O=C and C-arene-H...pi(arene) intermolecular interactions, with shortest O ... O, C ... O and C ... C distances of 2.625(2), 3.281(3) and 3.652 (3) Angstrom, respectively. The interplanar angle between the five- and six-membered rings of the isoindole system is 1.07(14)degrees, with the carbonyl O atom 0.110(3) Angstrom from the C4N ring plane.