METHOD FOR OPERATING AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE, AND CONTROL DEVICE

The disclosure relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion includes an intake manifold via which a cylinder can be supplied with fresh air, an inlet valve via which, when it is open, the fresh air can flow from the intake pipe into the cylinder, and a variable valve drive by means of which the opening duration or the relative timing of the inlet valve event is variable in relation to a crankshaft position. During a starting of the internal combustion engine, when the intake manifold pressure differs from the intake manifold desired pressure, a filling pilot control of the cylinder is undertaken by the variable valve drive by the fresh air supply being reduced in comparison to the fresh air supply at the intake manifold desired pressure. The disclosure further relates to a control device for an internal combustion engine that enables low-emission operation.