A two-stage hydrotreating process is disclosed wherein a hydrocarbon stream is first desulphurized followed by a dehydrogenation step, which process comprises in combination contacting the feed and hydrogen over a hydrotreating catalyst at hydrotreating conditions, heating the hydrotreated effluent and hydrogen-rich gas from the hydrotreating reactor and contacting said effluent and hydrogen gas over a hydrotreating catalyst in a post-treatment reactor at a temperature sufficient to increase the polyaromatic hydrocarbon content and lower the hydrogen content of said effluent.