Provided is a process for separating an organic isocyanate prepared by reacting an organic amine with a stoichiometric excess of phosgene in the gas phase from the gaseous crude product obtained in the reaction, the process comprising the steps of (i) at least partially condensing the crude product stream containing at least the isocyanate, hydrogen chloride and unconverted phosgene by contacting with at least one liquid stream containing at least one quench liquid in a first separation apparatus to obtain a liquid stream containing at least some of the quench liquid and some of the isocyanate and a gas stream containing at least hydrogen chloride, evaporated quench liquid and phosgene, (ii) discharging the liquid stream obtained in step (i) via a first liquid outlet and of the gas stream obtained in (i) via a first gas conduit and (iii) at least partially condensing and/or absorbing the gas stream discharged in step (ii) through the first gas conduit, wherein that the at least partial condensation and/or absorption is effected in step (iii) by direct introduction of at least one cooling fluid, wherein the cooling fluid is introduced directly into the first gas conduit via at least one addition unit assigned to the first gas conduit.