An internal combustion engine includes at least two cylinders, an intake duct, an exhaust gas section and an exhaust gas recirculation line. The cylinders include a combustion chamber. The intake duct communicates with the combustion chambers via a cylinder inlet channel of the intake duct depending upon a switch position of a gas inlet valve. The exhaust gas section communicates with the combustion chambers depending upon a switch position of at least one gas outlet valve. Exhaust gas is guided back to the inlet channels via the exhaust gas recirculation line dependent upon a switch position of the exhaust gas recirculation valve. To detect a mixing air temperature in the inlet channels, a mixing air temperature sensor is provided. The determined mixing air temperatures are compared. Exhaust gas guided back due to uneven distribution is identified if a difference between the determined mixing air temperature is greater than a predetermined threshold value.