A method for emulating a three-phase electric motor using a load emulator, wherein the load emulator is connected in a three-phase manner via its load terminals to the supply terminals of a motor controller. The load emulator has emulator power electronics and an emulator controller for controlling the emulator power electronics. The emulator controller determines the supply terminals that are driven by the motor controller and the supply terminals that are not driven. The emulator power electronics are driven by the emulator controller in such a manner that phase currents calculated by the emulator controller on the basis of a motor model flow in the supply terminals that are driven by the motor controller. A phase voltage calculated by the emulator controller on the basis of a motor model is applied to the supply terminal that is not driven by the motor controller.