The invention relates to a method for the production of a catalyst carrier, wherein Zirconium dioxide powder is mixed with a binding agent, optionally a pore forming agent, optionally an acid, water and optionally other additives to form a kneadable mass, said mass is homogenized in order to form shaped bodies, dried and calcinated. The binding agent is a monomer, oligomer or polymer organosilicon compound.Suitable binding agents are monomer, oligomer or polymer silanes, alkoxysilanes, aryloxysilanes, acryloxysilanes, oximinosilanes, halogensilanes, aminoxysilanes, aminosilanes, amidosilanes, silazanes or silicones. The invention also relates to a catalyst carrier thus produced, a catalyst containing said carrier and the use thereof as a dehydrogenation catalyst.