A control device for a variable valve mechanism that avoids the overheating an actuator while reducing adverse effects on the driveability of a vehicle. The actuator adjusts the lift of an intake valve by moving a drive element, and a sensor is used to determine whether the actuator will overheat. A control unit stops the drive element if the lift adjusted by the actuator is equal to or larger than a first predetermined value, when the control unit determines that the actuator will overheat. The actuator may be an electric actuator. In this case, the actuator maintains the drive element in a fixed position when supply of electric power to the actuator is interrupted. The control unit stops the drive element, and interrupts the supply of electric power to the actuator.