This invention discloses an improved method for preparation of imidazoles without isolation of the imidazoline intermediate which comprises reacting a diamine with carboxylic acid and heating the mixture at a temperature of 140.degree.-300.degree. C. at a pressure of subatmospheric to about 10 atm to form an amide, passing the amide over a nickel-containing catalyst at a temperature of 180.degree. C. to 250.degree. C. and a pressure of atmospheric to 200 psig and isolating the imidazole.