A control device for controlling an internal combustion engine equipped with an engine body, a variable compression ratio mechanism A configured to be able to change a mechanical compression ratio of the engine body, and an intake system configured to be able to make exhaust discharged from combustion chambers of the engine body be recirculated to an intake passage of the engine body. The control device is provided with a compression ratio control part controlling the variable compression ratio mechanism A so that the mechanical compression ratio becomes the target compression ratio. The compression ratio control part sets the target compression ratio at a lower value when exhaust is being recirculated at a predetermined operating region at an engine low load side than when exhaust is not being recirculated.