A control for avoiding interference between a valve and a piston of an engine is provided. The engine has a variable lift mechanism that is capable of changing a lift amount of the valve and a variable phase mechanism that is capable of changing a phase of the valve. A predicted value of the phase is calculated. A first determination of whether or not the predicted value has exceeded a first predetermined value is made. If it is determined that the predicted value has exceeded the first predetermined value, at least one of the lift amount and the phase is changed to avoid the interference between the valve and the piston. By using the predicted value, the interference can be avoided without delay.