Valve drive for an internal combustion engine having a valve which is axially displaceable between an open position and a closed position and is prestressed by a locking spring in the direction of its closed position, in which a control shaft driven by an electric motor to pivot about a longitudinal axis, has a cam, provided for operating the valve a pressure element that can be pivoted about a pivot axis, and a spring element which prestresses the pressure element and exerts a torque on the control shaft via the pressure element. The mass moment of inertia of the pressure element relative to its pivot axis is greater than the mass moment of inertia of the control shaft and the cam relative to the longitudinal axis of the control shaft. The valve drive so configured provides greater electrical operating efficiency and permits valve actuation to be performed at lower electric motor rotation speeds.