A method for operating switching elements of a multilevel energy converter using at least three electric potentials and to which a multiphase electrical machine is connected. Switching elements of the multilevel energy converter are operated in a predefined clock mode by corresponding switching signals. The switching signals for the switching elements are each assigned to one of the phases and are determined in accordance with each desired voltage signal, in order to apply a phase voltage to each phase of the multiphase electrical machine. The switching signals are determined additionally in accordance with a predefined overlaying voltage signal such that an overlaying voltage dependent on the overlaying voltage signal is overlaid onto each phase voltage.