diff --git a/src/calcium/ca.jl b/src/calcium/ca.jl
index 13d8dff2c..0fce625a9 100644
--- a/src/calcium/ca.jl
+++ b/src/calcium/ca.jl
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ base_ring(a::CalciumField) = Union{}
 
 is_domain_type(::Type{CalciumFieldElem}) = true
 
+characteristic(a::CalciumField) = 0
+
 function deepcopy_internal(a::CalciumFieldElem, dict::IdDict)
   C = a.parent
   r = C()
diff --git a/test/calcium/ca-test.jl b/test/calcium/ca-test.jl
index b9f1a8946..7bc494cca 100644
--- a/test/calcium/ca-test.jl
+++ b/test/calcium/ca-test.jl
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@
   @test deepcopy(t) !== t
   @test deepcopy(t).parent === t.parent
 
+  @test characteristic(C) == 0
 end
 
 @testset "CalciumFieldElem.options" begin
@@ -419,4 +420,3 @@ end
   @test_throws ErrorException rand(C, depth=2, bits=5, randtype=:gollum)
 
 end
-