A method is provided for operating a drive train having drive units, one transmission, and one output. A first drive unit acts on a first transmission shaft of the transmission, and a second drive unit acts on a second transmission shaft. The transmission comprises several shift elements, whereas, at the output, an output torque that depends on the torque required by the driver is provided. For the opening of a shift element, the shift element is positioned in a load-free manner. For the load-free positioning of the shift element, target torques are calculated for the first and the second drive unit, by means of which, while maintaining the torque required by the driver at the output, the shift element is positioned in a load-free manner. There is an examination of whether at least one of such target torques violates the torque limit of the respective drive unit. If it is then determined that neither of the target torques violates a torque limit, the first and second drive units are guided in a controlled manner to the respective target torque while maintaining the torque required by the driver at the output. If it is then determined that at least one of the target torques violates a torque limit of the respective drive unit, the shift element is positioned in a load-free manner while providing an output torque that deviates from the torque required by the driver.