The invention relates to a process for preparing methylenediphenyldiamine (MDA), comprising the following steps a) to c): a) converting formaldehyde and aniline to aminal b) removing water from the aminal obtained in step a) to establish a water content of 0 to 5% by weight based on the aminal, and c) adding an acidic catalyst to the aminal having a water content of 0 to 5% by weight, which comprises using formaldehyde in step a) in the form of highly concentrated formaldehyde with a CH2O content of >50% by weight and preparing the formaldehyde by oxidative dehydrogenation from methanol.