The H-alpha emission star BD + 24 deg 676, formerly classified as a T Tauri star and more recently as a Herbig Ae star, has been observed at moderately high resolution in the red spectral region. The main results are: the metallic lines over the wavelength range 6400-6750 A have equivalent widths comparable to early G stars; the radial velocity is not consistent with that of members of Taurus-Auriga; the lithium abundance is much lower than expected for a T Tauri star; H-alpha has a changing complex profile. The data do not appear to be compatible with the hypothesis that BD + 24 deg 676 is a premain-sequence star. The properties can be qualitatively understood if it is a close binary composed by a cool postmain-sequence subgiant and a hot main-sequence star, although more data are needed to clarify its nature.