A device for purifying exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine is provided, equipped with an HC catalyst having the ability to oxidize HC, as well as adsorb HC, and release HC which it has adsorbed, and there exists a specific condition where the amount to release HC becomes greater than the amount to oxidize HC, wherein the device for purifying exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine executes an HC feed control for feeding HC to the HC catalyst. The amount of HC fed to the HC catalyst is decreased by the HC feed control or the HC feed control is discontinued when the specific condition is established during execution of the HC feed control.