A method is described for starting an internal combustion engine having an E-machine coupled to it in a motor vehicle, after the input of a certain torque command at a drive control of the internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine being accelerated for the start by the E-machine, and the internal combustion engine being set by the drive control, via actuators, to specified characteristics values for the start. To reduce exhaust gas emissions at the start of the internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine is accelerated by the E-machine, without the injection of fuel, until the engine torque that is able to be implemented by the internal combustion engine, essentially corresponds to the torque command, and the injection of fuel into the internal combustion engine is only then released.