The XRD signal at interplanar spacing around 3.33 angstrom is now attributed to be diagnostic for beta-NiMoO4 in Ni-Mo catalysts. Due to an error in the JCPDS Powder Diffraction File Card 12-348, it has sometimes been assigned to yNiO.MoO3.zH2O. Previously published data on oxidic Ni-Mo/Al2O3 points to a role of the support in stabilizing beta-NiMoO4.