Five catalysts with different hydrodesulfurization (HDS) and hydrogenation activity were tested in HDS of fresh crude heavy atmospheric gas oil (HAGO) (1.33 wt% S), two partially hydrotreated HAGO (1100 and 115 ppm S) and two model compounds, dibenzothiophene (DBT) and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (DMDBT), dissolved in model solvents and HAGO. Aromatic compounds in the liquid decreased significantly the HDS rate of 4,6-DMDBT, especially for catalysts with high hydrogenation activity. H2S displayed a similar inhibition effect with all catalysts. These effects were extremely pronounced in HAGO where the DBT HDS rate decreased by a factor of 10 while 4,6-DMDBT - of 20 relative to paraffinic solvent. The feasibility of using a highly active hydrogenation catalyst for deep HDS of HAGO is diminished by the strong impact of aromatics.