Abstract: The invention discloses a process for the preparation of 1-amino-2-bromo-4-hydroxyanthraquinone by brominating 1-aminoanthraquinone in the 2- and 4-position in concentrated sulfuric acid and subsequently hydrolyzing the 1-amino-2,4-dibromoanthraquinone obtained as intermediate, which process comprises removing excess bromine and/or hydrobromic acid formed during the bromination from the reaction mixture and carrying out the hydrolysis at elevated temperature in the presence of an aldehyde. 1-Amino-2-bromo-4-hydroxyanthraquinone is an important intermediate for dyestuff synthesis and is used in particular for synthesizing anthraquinoid disperse dyes.