The invention relates to a process for manufacturing an internally cooled valve, said process involving providing an externally at least partly cylindrical semifinished product (2), creating or increasing the depth of an at least partly cylindrical cavity in the semifinished product (2) in a hot-working procedure using a male die such that a valve blank is formed; during the hot-working procedure, a recess on an end face of the male die forms a structure on the bottom of the cavity.