The invention relates to a method for producing a nickel aluminide coating on a metal substrate. The method includes the following steps: a) coating the substrate with a nickel deposit; b) applying an aluminum sheet onto the nickel deposit from step a) so as to form an assembly made up of the substrate coated with the nickel deposit and the aluminum sheet; and c) subjecting said assembly to heat treatment at a temperature that is lower than the melting point of aluminum, and at a low pressure so as to induce a reaction between the aluminum and the nickel and thus form a β-NiAl nickel aluminide layer mounted on a nickel layer. The invention is particularly of use for protecting the materials used in turbines of aircraft engines.