A method is for controlling the metering of fuel in a fuel system (30) of an internal combustion engine (1) which is to be started manually. This control is with a currentless open electromagnetic valve (21). The electromagnetic valve (21) is only switched into the closed state when a supply voltage (Uv) is applied and current flows. Within a blocking time (47), which is pregiven by an engine control (13), a supply voltage (Uv) is switched onto the excitation coil of the electromagnetic valve (21) only and the valve (21) is supplied with current only when an underpressure is present in the intake channel (11) of the fuel system (30); whereas, in the remaining time span (50) of the blocking time (47), wherein no underpressure is present, the control unit (20) switches off the supply voltage (Uv) and the valve (21) is in the currentless open state.