A valve element for a hydraulic control device, in particular valve sleeve (1) or valve housing for a control valve on internal combustion engines or transmissions of motor vehicles, wherein the valve element has a displaceable control piston (2) which is subjected to load on one side by a spring (3) which is supported on a spring support (4) which is fixed to the valve element. The spring support (4) has at least one opening (7) which is connected to a pressure medium line, and the pressure medium line is in the form of a pressure medium inlet line. An axial filter (8) is arranged at the opening (7) of the spring support (4) and/or the opening (7) of the spring support (4) is provided with a check valve (9).