Disclosed are improved processes for the recovery of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (epoxybutene) from an epoxidation effluent comprising epoxybutane, butadiene, oxygen and an inert diluent obtained by the selective epoxidation of butadiene with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst and an inert gas. Epoxybutene is separated from the effluent by means of an absorption process using an extractant comprising liquid butadiene and, optionally, a hydrocarbon diluent. The formation of butenediols, by the reaction of epoxybutene and water, in the recovery process is inhibited by the addition of a base, preferably an alkali metal base, to the recovery system.