In a method of operating a reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine with a combustion chamber in which a fuel mix with fresh gas is provided via intake ports and combustion exhaust gases are discharged through exhaust ports which can be opened by intake valves and, respectively, exhaust valves which are actuated by a valve operating mechanism, wherein an operating mode with external ignition, in which the fuel mix is ignited by a spark plug, is provided in part of the load range of the internal combustion engine, and an operating mode with compression ignition, in which the control of the gas exchange valves is altered so as to retain combustion exhaust gases in the combustion chamber for participation in the formation of the fresh mix is provided in another load range of the internal combustion engine, during a change in the operating mode the valve lift of at least one of the gas exchange valves is altered.