A method for operating a first slave which is connected to a master and to at least one further slave includes sending, with the master, in each case at least one forward telegram in a forward direction and at least one reverse telegram in a reverse direction via the bus line to the first slave and the at least one further slave. The method further includes deactivating a buffer memory of the first slave in order to stop a forwarding of forward telegrams and reverse telegrams up to a reactivation time when the forward telegram and the reverse telegram are received within a predetermined time window. The first slave is in an annularly closed bus line.