A method is provided for regulating a charge air pressure of an engine having an exhaust gas supercharger, a fresh gas supply device, an air system having an air treatment system and a compressor chargeable by the supercharger, and an engine controller. The method detects an engine torque requirement; determines a current charge air pressure and a current pressure of the air system; compares the current charge air pressure to a target charge air pressure corresponding to the torque requirement, compares the current air system pressure to a target operating air system pressure, and regulates the charge air pressure by suppressing supply of compressed air from the supercharger to the compressor when the current charge air pressure is less than the corresponding target charge air pressure and the current pressure of the air system is greater than or equal to the target operating pressure of the air system.