In a method for operating a hybrid vehicle, an idle first drive unit is started during the driving of the hybrid vehicle by transferring part of a torque from an operating second drive unit to the first drive unit. To minimize effects on the movement characteristics of the hybrid vehicle during starting and/or stopping of the first drive unit, a control unit is provided for influencing the torque of the operating second drive unit by at least one of the variables derived from the longitudinal movement of the hybrid vehicle.