A method for operating a drive train of a motor vehicle with a prime mover (1) including an internal combustion engine (2) and an electric machine (3), a separating clutch (6) connected between the internal combustion engine and the electric machine, and a transmission (5) connected between the prime mover (1) and a driven end (4) is provided. When at least one first operating condition is present, a previously decoupled internal combustion engine (2) is coupled such that the separating clutch (6) is actuated to engage. When at least one second operating condition is present, the coupling of the internal combustion engine is aborted, and an absolute value of a torque currently transmitted or currently transmittable by the separating clutch (6) is determined. The separating clutch (6) is disengaged at different rates depending on the absolute value of the torque currently transmitted or currently transmittable by the separating clutch (6).