A method for controlling a multi-phase rotary electric machine is disclosed. The stator of the machine is controlled by a control bridge having a plurality of parallel mounted switching arms, with each arm comprising a high-side switch and a low-side switch connected at a center tap connected to a phase of said rotary electric machine. The machine operates as a generator and is connected to an electrical network on board a motor vehicle. The method involves short-circuiting a phase winding of the stator when a measurement of the voltage of said network exceeds a first predetermined value, and after this, activating a switching arm, the center tap of which is connected to said at least one short-circuited phase winding, during which the intensity in the short-circuited winding is measured, if the measured intensity is positive, the high-side switch of said activated switching arm is moved to the closed position, otherwise, it is moved to the open position.