In a method and a device for controlling an internal combustion engine (1), the accuracy of the detection of knocking in an internal combustion engine (1) can be increased by determining a reference ignition advance angle for an actual operating point of the internal combustion engine (1) at which the efficiency of the engine is a maximum. An actual ignition advance angle at which the internal combustion engine (1) is to be operated at the actual operating point is determined. Signals from a knocking sensor (14) are detected, allowing conclusions to be drawn concerning a knocking event in a combustion chamber (30) of the internal combustion engine (1). To detect knocking, only the signal values which lie within a predetermined evaluating interval are used, wherein the position of the evaluating interval is determined depending on the difference between the reference ignition advance angle and the actual ignition advance angle.