There is a control apparatus of an engine including a variable valve timing mechanism having a locking mechanism for locking a rotation phase of a camshaft with respect to a crankshaft to a target for the engine starting. In a case where the rotation phase has not reached the target for the engine starting at the time of the engine starting, fuel injection to the engine is restricted from the commencement of the engine starting until an integrated value of valve opening frequencies reaches a threshold, and when the integrated value of the valve opening frequencies has reached the threshold, it is regarded that the rotation phase is locked to the target for the engine starting by a locking mechanism, and fuel supply to the engine is permitted.