A method of preparing a diorganodihalosilane comprising the separate and consecutive steps of (i) contacting a copper catalyst with a mixture comprising hydrogen gas and a silicon tetrahalide at a temperature of from 500 to 1400° C. to form a silicon-containing copper catalyst comprising at least 0.1% (w/w) of silicon, wherein the copper catalyst is selected from copper and a mixture comprising copper and at least one element selected from gold, magnesium, calcium, cesium, tin, and sulfur; and (ii) contacting the silicon-containing copper catalyst with an organohalide at a temperature of from 100 to 600° C. to form at least one diorganodihalosilane.