Process for purifying N-alkylpyrrolidones which due to a previous use comprise at least one of the impurities of the formula I or II where R is hydrogen or a C1-C20-alkyl group, wherein a basic compound is added to the N-alkylpyrrolidone to be purified and the temperature of the mixture is at least 80° C. not more than 20 minutes after addition of the basic compound and N-alkylpyrrolidone is distilled off from the mixture obtained.