The invention relates to a method for producing aliphatic alpha-, omega-diamines by hydrogenating aliphatic alpha-, omega-dinitriles in the presence of a catalyst, characterised in that the catalyst used for the hydrogenation contains a) iron or a compound based on iron or mixtures thereof, b) 0.001 to 0.3 wt. % in relation to a) of a promoter based on 2, 3, 4 or 5 elements from the following group: aluminium, silicon, zirconium, titanium and vanadium and c) 0 to 0.3 wt. % in relation to a) of a compound based on an alkaline and/or alkaline earth metal.