A rotary vane compressor includes a cylinder chamber having an ellipsoidal inner wall shape, a rotor rotatably provided in the cylinder chamber, a vane held in the rotor so as to contact with an inner wall surface of the cylinder chamber along with a rotation of the rotor, a vane slot provided on the rotor and offset on a reverse rotational side of the rotor from a radial line passing over a rotational center of the rotor, and a controller for controlling a rotation of the rotor. The controller reversely rotates the rotor for a predetermined time upon activating the compressor. According to the compressor, chattering can be prevented by surely protruding the vane from the vane slot without providing extra parts. In addition, the vane can be produced with easy working processes at low cost.