The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of polyether carbonate polyols by catalytic copolymerization of carbon dioxide (CO2) with alkylene oxides in the presence of one or more H-functional starter substances with the aid of double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts and in the presence of additives A) chosen from the group consisting of sterically non-hindered phenols, catechols, pyrocatechols, thiazines, phenothiazines, thiazoles, benzothiazoles, oxazines, phenoxazines, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl and nitrostyrenes and optionally in the presence of metal salts B).