A start control device for an internal combustion engine controls a starting manner of the engine having a hydraulic variable mechanism, which fixes valve timing at a middle angle. Specifically, with the engine speed during cranking when the valve timing is not fixed at the middle angle defined as a first engine speed and the engine speed during cranking when the valve timing is fixed at the middle angle defined as a second engine speed, the start control device performs starting control for decreasing the first engine speed compared to the second engine speed during engine starting. As a result, the valve timing is fixed at the middle angle at increased frequency.