Provided is a control device for controlling an internal combustion engine including a fuel injection valve, an ignition device, and a variable valve operating device configured to switch between a base opening/closing mode of an intake valve and a continuous valve opening mode. The control device is configured to execute a cold start control at a cold start. The cold start control includes: a startability improvement processing executed in a predetermined number of cycles after the start of cranking; and a combustion start processing executed after this predetermined number of cycles. In the startability improvement processing, the continuous valve opening mode is selected in at least an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke, and fuel injection is executed without ignition. In the combustion start processing, the base opening/closing mode is selected continuously during one cycle, and ignition is executed.