The invention relates to a method for operating a current converter, in particular of an electric machine, in which, for the or for each semiconductor switch of the current converter, a control signal (P′) for setting a switch-off speed (Anew) is generated, wherein an electric intermediate circuit voltage (Udc) of an intermediate circuit is measured and compared to a voltage threshold value (Uthresh), wherein an operating temperature (TB) of the respective semiconductor switch is measured and compared to a temperature threshold value (Tthresh), wherein a load current (Ic) switched by means of the respective semiconductor switch is measured and compared to a current threshold value (Ithresh), and wherein the control signal (P′) for setting the switch-off speed (Anew) is generated on the basis of the comparisons.