This male or female quick coupling element (4; 6) is intended to be coupled to a pressurized fluid pipe (C4; C6). It comprises a body (42; 62) defining at least one pressurized fluid passage (441, 643, 681), a front face and a longitudinal axis (X4; X6) of the coupling element. An inner part (48; 64) arranged in the body is provided with a surface belonging to the front face, as well as a drain passage (482, 484; 642, 644) coupling the pressurized fluid passage and the outside of the coupling element. An opening mechanism (54, 56, 58, 59; 74, 76, 78, 78) is intended to be actuated from the front face of the coupling element to open the drain passage. The inner part (48; 64) is provided with a peripheral groove (484; 644) in which a seal (59; 79) rests that closes off the drain passage (482, 484; 642, 644) in a closing off portion. The opening mechanism is mounted in the inner part and comprises at least one member (58; 78) for controlling the position of the seal (59; 79) relative to the groove (484; 644), this control member being movable between a first inactive position, where it does not move the seal relative to its closing off position, and a second active position, where it acts directly on the seal (59; 79) to open the drain passage (482, 484; 642, 644).