The invention provides a process for preparing 4-aminodiphenylamine, an important starting product for synthesizing antioxidants and stabilizers in the rubber and polymer industry, by hydrogenating nitrosobenzene with hydrogen in the presence of a proton acid as catalyst and in the presence of a hydrogenating catalyst, optionally in the presence of an inert organic solvent and thermally decomposing the 4-ADPA ammonium salt produced in this way, wherein 4-ADPA is obtained. 4-aminodiphenylamine is produced in good yields and high purity by the process according to the present invention. Furthermore, no effluent is produced, which makes the process particularly economic and ecological.