In the preparation of 2-oximinophenylacetonitrile by reacting benzyl cyanide with an alkyl nitrite in the presence of a base, the improvement which comprises employing an inorganic base as the base and effecting the reaction in an aqueous solution of an alcohol. Advantageously the reaction mixture, consisting of an alcohol, an aqueous solution of an inorganic base and benzyl cyanide, is circulated by means of a pump and thereby operates an injector which sucks in the alkyl nitrite. Desirably the alkyl nitrite is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl nitrate having the same alkyl radical as the alcohol, about 1.05 to 1.15 moles of alkyl nitrite are employed per mole of benzyl cyanide, the inorganic alkali is an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, the molar ratio of benzyl cyanide to potassium or sodium hydroxide is about 1:1.1-1.3, the reaction is effected at about 20.degree. to 40.degree. C., and after the reaction has ended the alkaline reaction mixture is acidified with hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid at a temperature above about 40.degree. C. and the 2-oximinophenylacetonitrile formed is separated off.