A process for preparing 1,2-butylene oxide by catalytic hydrogenation of vinyloxirane over a heterogeneous catalyst comprises using a catalyst comprising an element of subgroup I, VII or VIII of the periodic table, or mixtures of a plurality of these elements, in the presence or absence of one or more promoter elements, these elements and promoters having been applied by means of a vacuum vapor deposition technique to a support of metal foil or metal wire fabric.