The invention is directed to a method for controlling fuel injection in an internal combustion engine (10) having at least one electric machine (26), wherein a direct injection system (18) for direct injection of fuel into at least one combustion chamber (54) of the internal combustion engine (10) is associated with the internal combustion engine (10), the direct injection system (18) including a mechanically driven high-pressure fuel pump (22) for generating a fuel pressure in an accumulator volume (20) upstream of the at least one combustion chamber (54). It is provided that during a startup process of the internal combustion engine (10) fuel is injected by at least one of the following measures: (a) activation of the fuel injection into the at least one combustion chamber (54) only after a minimum fuel pressure is reached, and (b) monitoring a course of a run-up of the internal combustion engine (10) after fuel injection has begun and, if a deviation of the course from a desired course is detected, at least partial compensation of the deviation by a motor intervention of the at least one electric machine (26). The startup process can be performed so as to result in considerable fuel savings and low emissions.