A method for controlling an internal combustion engine controlled as a function of an operating-point setpoint, the method includes: determining whether a new operating-point setpoint is received, and if so determining the maximum capacity of the pump based on determined values of rotational speed of the engine, quantity of fuel injected, and fuel pressure in the common injection rail; determining fuel consumption flow rate; subtracting fuel consumption flow rate of the vehicle from the maximum capacity of the pump to obtain the remaining capacity of the fuel pump; determining the difference in fuel flow rate between the current operating point and the operating point of the new operating-point setpoint; and if the remaining capacity of the fuel pump is less than the difference in fuel flow rate, a reduced fuel flow rate gradient setpoint is emitted with the new operating-point setpoint or the quantity of fuel injected is limited.