A method is described for controlling the soot deposition on sensors. A sensor element is provided, which includes a first electrode and a second electrode. Different measuring voltages U1 and U2 can be applied to the sensor element. During a first time period t1, the sensor element is operated at a higher voltage U1 until a triggering threshold AP of the sensor element is exceeded, while it is operated at a voltage U2, which is different from higher voltage U1, U2 being lower than voltage U1, during a second time period t2.