An internal combustion engine includes a plurality of variable valve timing mechanism (VVTs), each corresponding to one of a pair of banks. When an abnormality is detected in a VVT corresponding to one of the banks, the valve closing timing of the intake valves during starting of the engine in the bank corresponding to the normally functioning VVT is adjusted to valve timing that increases the power generated by combustion compared to the engine power generated during normal starting of the engine. Specifically, the valve closing timing of the intake valves during starting of the engine in the bank corresponding to the normally functioning VVT is brought closer to the bottom dead center of the intake stroke of the engine. As a result, deterioration of the starting performance of the engine due to the abnormality of the VVT is compensated for.