A process for the preparation of C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl pent-3-enoates, wherein butadiene, or a hydrocarbon mixture containing butadiene, either of which contains not more than 0.1% by weight of butynes, is reacted with carbon monoxide and an alkanol of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the presence of a cobalt carbonyl catalyst and a tertiary nitrogen base, having a pK.sub.A of 3-11, at from 100.degree. to 140.degree. C. under a pressure of from 300 to 1,000 bar.