A method and a device for operating a drive unit which enable better torque coordination for a speed controller. A load-reversal damping component is provided, which filters a first setpoint value for an output variable of the drive unit to damp a load reversal. A speed controller is provided, which specifies a second setpoint value for the output variable of the drive unit in order to adjust an actual value for an engine speed of the drive unit to a setpoint value for the engine speed. A first component of the second setpoint value for the output variable specified by the speed controller is taken into account in the formation of the first setpoint value. A remaining second component of the second setpoint value for the output variable specified by the speed controller, together with the filtered first setpoint value, is taken into account only when forming a resulting third setpoint value for the output variable, the first component of the second setpoint value for the output variable specified by the speed controller being formed as a function of at least one characteristic of the load-reversal damping component, in such a way that it is not or only negligibly affected by the filtering.