This invention relates to an improved process for the production of tolyltriazole in which the tolyltriazole is a lighter colored product. The color improvement in the tolyltriazole produced from this process occurs when the ortho-toluenediamine reactant is previously stabilized by treatment with a compound selected from the group consisting of aldehydes, ketones, acetals and ketals. The process of the present invention reduces the need to purify (by, for example, filtration or distillation) the tolyltriazole prior to being used commercially.