In an internal combustion engine, a hydrocarbon feed valve (15), NOx storage catalyst (13), particulate filter (14), and electric resistance type sensor (29) are arranged in an engine exhaust passage in this order from an upstream side. The electric resistance type sensor (29) generates an output value corresponding to the amounts of deposition of particulate matter and hydrocarbons which are contained in the exhaust gas and deposited at the sensor part thereof. From the change of the output value of the electric resistance type sensor (29), it is judged if the hydrocarbons have slipped through the NOx storage catalyst (13) and if the particulate matter has slipped through the particulate filter (14).