The present invention relates to a method (100) and a device for discharging an intermediate circuit (9) of a power supply network (10), in particular a high-voltage network, wherein a consumer (7) can be connected to the power supply network (10). A first (11) and a second (12) discharge circuit for discharging the intermediate circuit (9) are provided. In a first step, the intermediate circuit (9) is discharged at least partially by means of the first discharge circuit (11) and, in a subsequent second step (104), the intermediate circuit (9) is further discharged (104) by means of the second discharge circuit (12).