A deflection device for an anti skid chain includes a chain wheel rotatably stored in a housing for the accommodation of a chain which can be inserted into the chain wheel, and an actuating element that can be moved between a locking position, in which the movement of the chain wheel is blocked in one direction, and an unlocking position in which said blocking is released, and which engages, via a locking pawl actuated by said actuating element, a toothed ring non-rotatably connected to the chain wheel, which is in the form of an internally-toothed ring of the chain wheel. The locking pawl is pivotally mounted within the interior space surrounded by the toothed ring. The locking pawl engages the toothed ring in the locking position but disengages the same in the unlocking position of the actuating element.