A controller for an internal-combustion engine 1 has an intake cam 13L for a low load operation and an intake cam 13H for a high load operation. The controller switches the intake cam used to actually open/close an intake valve 8 and changes the phase angle of each intake cam according to the load on an internal-combustion engine while the internal-combustion engine 1 is in operation. At a startup of the internal-combustion engine 1, the controller holds the intake cam 13H for a high load operation as the intake cam that actually opens/closes the intake valve 8, and changes the phase angle of the intake cam 13H according to the temperature of the internal-combustion engine 1 and/or the temperature of the atmosphere.