A control device for a brake system of a rail vehicle, the brake system having at least one first brake device and a second brake device, which devices can be actuated by an actuating force during a braking process. The first brake device and the second brake device are adhesion-type brake devices. The control device is capable of receiving and/or generating a loss of adhesion signal, which identifies insufficient adhesion for the first and/or second brake device, and is also designed, during a braking process, to actuate the first and/or second brake device with an increased actuating force if a loss of adhesion signal is present. Also disclosed is a brake system for a rail vehicle having a control device of this type, a corresponding rail vehicle and a method for controlling the brake system of a rail vehicle using a control device.