There is provided a variable valve control system for an internal combustion engine, including an intake valve event and lift control mechanism capable of varying an operation angle of an intake valve of the engine; an intake valve timing control mechanism capable of varying a center phase of the operation angle of the intake valve; a detection unit to detect a malfunction in the intake valve timing control mechanism; and a fail-safe unit to control the intake valve event and lift control mechanism upon detection of the malfunction in the intake valve timing control mechanism in such a manner that intake valve opening timing becomes advanced with respect to top dead center.