A bread cutting machine has a circular blade that is moveable in a guide gap through an extension gap of a machine housing from a waiting position into a cutting space. When the blade is in the waiting position, the guide gap is coverable by a rocker displaceable away from the guide gap simultaneously with the extension of the blade from the waiting position, whereby the guide gap is opened. A cover plate is rigidly fastened to a side surface of the rocker, projects vertically away from the rocker, and covers the extension gap whenever the blade is in the waiting position. By a positive guide, the cover plate is moveable away from the extension gap simultaneously with the movement of the rocker, whereby the extension gap is opened.