In the title compound, C20H18N2O3, the indole unit is essentially planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.0197 (18) Å for the N atom and forms a dihedral angle of 78.09 (9)° with the propyne-subsituted phenyl ring. The propyne group is almost linear, the C—C C angle being 176.5 (2)°, and is also in the flagpole position on the O atom. In the crystal, molecules are linked via N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O intermolecular hydrogen bonds involving the nitro-group O atoms as acceptors.