A process for activating a fixed catalyst bed is disclosed. The fixed catalyst bed includes monolithic shaped catalyst bodies or include monolithic shaped catalyst bodies including at a first metal selected from Ni, Fe, Co, Cu, Cr, Pt, Ag, Au and Pd, and a second component selected from Al, Zn and Si. The fixed catalyst bed, for activation, is treated with an aqueous base having a strength of not more than 3.5% by weight. The base is selected from alkali metal hydroxides, alkaline earth metal hydroxides and mixtures thereof. The fixed catalyst bed has a temperature gradient during the activation and the temperature differential between the coldest point in the fixed catalyst bed and the warmest point in the fixed catalyst bed is kept at not more than 50 K.