The method serves for the operation of an Otto-cycle internal combustion engine with fuel injection on a cold start and is characterised by the following steps: retarding adjustment (13) of the ignition angle to a cold start value, for at least the first combustion, in at least one cylinder, of the internal combustion engine, during a cold start phase, whereby the fuel injected into the cylinder is made to combust and a normal adjustment (14) of the ignition angle to terminate the cold start phase.