A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a variable valve mechanism that changes the duration of an intake valve, and a controller that controls the variable valve mechanism to change the duration based on the operating state of the internal combustion engine. If a determination that there is a possibility of engine stalling is made when the internal combustion engine idling, the controller controls the variable valve mechanism so that the duration of the intake valve is made shorter than the duration which is achieved when the determination is made, only during the period until several four-stroke cycles of the internal combustion engine have elapsed after the determination is made. Thus, it is possible to appropriately suppress occurrence of engine stalling when the internal combustion engine is running at a low speed.