A control device for an automatic transmission (10) having shift control means (88) operative to select a manual shift mode is provided for preventing acceleration response from deteriorating in the automatic transmission (10). The control device includes automatic up-range control means (90) for switching a range to a ''D'' range when high oil-temperature determining means determines presence of a high oil-temperature state, and high oil-temperature down-range permitting means (92) for permitting a down-range during a manual shift operation until a selected uppermost gear position G SELECT reaches a determining gear position G JUGE when the accelerator-on drive determining means (86) subsequently determines presence of an accelerator-on drive. Even when obtaining a drive force is attempted during an accelerator-on drive mode after switching the range, the down-range by the manual shift operation is permitted until the selected uppermost gear position G SELECT reaches the determining gear position G JUGE. Thus, a drop in acceleration response in comparison to that of an automatic shift mode is prevented.