Process for preparing a hydrotreating catalyst comprising of from 5 wt % to 50 wt % of molybdenum, of from 0.5 wt % to 20 wt % of nickel and of from 0 to 5 wt % of phosphorus, all based on total dry weight of catalyst, which process comprises (a) treating alumina carrier with molybdenum and nickel and of from 1 to 60% wt of gluconic acid, based on weight of carrier, and op tionally phosphorus, (b) optionally drying the treated carrier at a temperature of from 40 to 200° C., and (c) calcining the treated and optionally dried carrier at a temperature of from 200 to 650° C. to obtain the calcined treated carrier.