The condensation of 2-carboxybenzaldehyde with 1,2-phenylenediamine unexpectedly yielded the title compound, C22H14N2O4·CH4O. The benzimidazole ring system is almost perpendicular to the phthalazine ring system, making a dihedral angle of 88.4 (5)°. Intermolecular O—H⋯N and O—H⋯O hydrogen-bonding interactions stabilize the crystal structure.