A hydrotreating catalyst that contains at least one element of group VIB and/or group VIII of the periodic table and optionally phosphorus and/or silicon, with an organic compound as an additive that contains at least one nitrogen atom, is used for the transformation of hydrocarbon-containing fractions, in particular the hydrodesulfurization, the hydrodenitrification, the hydrodemetallization, the hydrogenation of various petroleum fractions, such as residues, vacuum distillates, gas oils and gasolines, and the hydroconversion of vacuum distillates.