Risperidone is prepared in a high yield by reacting 2,4-difluorophenyl(4-piperidinyl)methanone oxime hydrochloride and 3-(2-chloroethyl)-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-2-methyl-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4- -one in an aqueous alkali hydroxide solution having an alkali hydroxide concentration in the range of 20 to 40%.