Single crystals of LaTe1.9 (lanthanum telluride) have been obtained by chemical transport reactions with iodine as transport agent. LaTe1.9 adopts the CeSe1.9 structure type and crystallizes in the space group P42/n with lattice parameters a = 10.1072 (3) Å and c = 18.2874 (6) Å. The crystal structure comprises an alternating stacking of puckered [LaTe] slabs and planar [Te] layers along [001]. The planar [Te] layer is dominated by dumbbell-shaped Te2 2- anions along an isolated Te2- anion and a vacancy. The Te2 2- anions form an eight-membered ring enclosing the vacancy in the centre.