A fuel control device for an internal combustion engine employing a fuel mixture preparation system in which the amount of fuel is set at will and the amount of combustion air is adjusted automatically. In order to provide sufficient air during abrupt and rapid actuations of the fuel control lever, there is provided a hydraulic differentiating mechanism which senses rapid displacements of the fuel control lever and which temporarily opens a channel leading from a source of high hydraulic pressure directly to the servo motor that pivots the air throttle, thereby causing additional opening of the air throttle and an increased rate of air flow. The high pressure channel is closed gradually after the occurrence of the abrupt fuel change.