Method for detecting the ambient pressure in an internal combustion engine

There is described a method for detecting the ambient pressure by a pressure sensor in the intake pipe of an internal combustion engine. A throttle flap is opened so that the pressure drop via the throttle flap can be neglected. The dethrottling of the internal combustion engine is compensated by the appropriate adjustment of the cam shaft in accordance with the operating state of the internal combustion engine, so that the measuring method is not being felt by the driver.