In a process for preparing amines, in which at least one compound containing at least one nitro group is reacted with hydrogen in the presence of a supported catalyst comprising, as catalytically active metal, nickel, if desired together with at least one metal of transition group I, V, VI and/or VIII, the reduced and stabilized supported catalyst comprises nickel crystallites having a bimodal nickel crystallite size distribution having maxima at 30-80 Angstr+E,uml o+EE m and 81-150 Angstr+E,uml o+EE m on a support comprising ZrO2, ZrO2-HfO2 and/or SiO2-ZrO2 and/or SiO2-ZrO2-HfO2 and in the reduced and passivated state has a nickel content of 60-80 percent by mass, an SiO2 content of 0-20 percent by mass, a ZrO2 content of 0-40 percent by mass, an HfO2 content of 0-4 percent by mass and after further reduction for one hour at 100 DEG C. has a degree of reduction of at least 70%.