The invention relates to a method for discharging at least one capacitor (2) of an electric circuit (1), said electric circuit (1) also comprising: an electric stator winding (4) of a polyphase rotary electric machine, said winding (4) comprising a plurality of coils (6) which each form a stator phase and which are not being coupled to one another; and a switching system (5) disposed between the capacitor (2) and the electric stator winding (4) and comprising a plurality of controllable switching cells (10). According to the method of the invention, the coils (6) are electrically powered by the capacitor (2) by means of the switching system (5), of which the switching cells (10) are controlled such that the homopolar electric current passes through the electric stator winding (4).