A small temnospondyl skull from the upper Carboniferous Allegheny Group of Five Points, Ohio, is referred to a new dissorophoid, Palodromeus bairdi n. gen n. sp. The complete skull with mandibles is preserved in counterparts. It is characterized by, (1) elongated slit-like choana; (2) postfrontal, postorbital, and supratemporal bearing a distinct ridge; and (3) reduced parietal only two-thirds the length of the frontal. Phylogenetic analysis confirms a dichotomy between amphibamiforms and olsoniforms and places Palodromeus bairdi n. gen. n. sp. at the base of the olsoniforms, revealing an early stage in the evolution of that clade.