A method and a corresponding device are disclosed for starting an internal combustion engine designed for alcohol or a high content of alcohol in a mixed alcohol-gasoline fuel, including setting an early starting ignition time point in a first time period beginning immediately after the activation of the starting process of the engine. The rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is monitored and the number of the cylinder working cycles is summed during the starting process and, upon exceeding a predetermined rotational speed threshold value, the number of those cylinder working cycles is summed in which there occurs a rotational speed increase greater than a predetermined threshold value. The number of the cylinder working cycles is compared with predetermined threshold values and, upon reaching or exceeding the threshold values, the ignition time point is shifted starting from the early ignition time point toward a late ignition time point.