N-Phenyl-1-naphthylamine can be prepared by reaction of aniline and 1-naphthylamine in the liquid phase at 100-400.degree. C. under normal pressure, a catalyst mixture comprising boron and fluorine being employed. Such catalyst mixtures can be obtained, for example, by reaction of hydrogen fluoride, boric acid and aniline and/or 1-naphthylamine. The catalyst is recovered and can be employed again. The reaction can be carried out discontinuously or continuously.