The present process serves for the hydrodehalogenation of halogenated meta-cresols of the formula (I) ##STR00001## in which the R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 radicals are each as defined in the description, and is characterized in that halogenated meta-cresols of the formula (I) are contacted with a catalyst which has been prepared by applying one or more salts of palladium and/or platinum and optionally copper salts to an aluminum oxide or titanium oxide support material, together with hydrogen, at temperatures between 100 and 250.degree. C.