An optical receiving device which is improved in the accuracy of optical input interruption detection as well as in the alarm response and thus is capable of high-quality detection of interruption of the optical input. A light receiving element receives an optical signal and converts it into an electrical signal. A bias control section stabilizes a bias voltage applied to the light receiving element against variations in temperature and power supply. An optical input interruption protection section protects the light receiving element using a protective voltage so that the light receiving element may not be broken due to an excessive rise of the bias voltage when the optical input is interrupted. An alarm issuing section monitors the photocurrent of the light receiving element and issues an alarm on detecting an interruption of the optical input when the bias voltage and the protective voltage become equal to each other.