A Ni/Al2O3 catalyst has been submitted to different treatments prior to catalytic test in the dry reforming of methane. The performed pretreatments are: (i) calcination + hydrogen reduction, (ii) direct hydrogen reduction and (iii) heat treatment up to the reaction temperature under inert atmosphere. The activity is not affected by the pretreatment carried out but a noticeable effect on the amount of deposited coke has been observed, probably related with an influence of the pretreatment on the size and structure of the nickel particles. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.