diff --git a/tool/smarts/src/main/java/org/openscience/cdk/smiles/smarts/SmartsPattern.java b/tool/smarts/src/main/java/org/openscience/cdk/smiles/smarts/SmartsPattern.java
index e63641ca5d5..2ddf6c55dda 100644
--- a/tool/smarts/src/main/java/org/openscience/cdk/smiles/smarts/SmartsPattern.java
+++ b/tool/smarts/src/main/java/org/openscience/cdk/smiles/smarts/SmartsPattern.java
@@ -189,6 +189,17 @@ public static SmartsPattern create(String smarts, IChemObjectBuilder builder) th
         return new SmartsPattern(smarts, builder);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Default SMARTS pattern constructor, passes in a null chem object builder.
+     *
+     * @param smarts SMARTS pattern string
+     * @return a SMARTS pattern
+     * @throws IOException problem with SMARTS string syntax/semantics
+     */
+    public static SmartsPattern create(String smarts) throws IOException {
+        return new SmartsPattern(smarts, null);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Checks a smarts string for !R, R<num> or r<num>. If found then the more
      * expensive ring info needs to be initlised before querying.