An internal combustion engine has a starter device, wherein the starter device has a drive member and a driven member and a locking mechanism for coupling the drive member and the driven member to one another for starting the internal combustion engine. The locking mechanism has at least one pawl that is pivotably supported on the driven member. For decoupling the drive member and the driven member, the at least one pawl is pivoted outwardly relative to an axis of rotation of the starter device. The at least one pawl has at least one pivot position in which the at least one pawl contacts at least one contact area of the driven member. The at least one pawl has at least one cover covering the at least one contact area.