An ignition system includes: a step-up transformer having a primary side and a secondary side; an electric energy source which is able to be connected to the primary side; a spark gap, which is designed to carry a current transferred to the secondary side by the step-up transformer. The step-up transformer has a bypass for transferring electric energy from the electric energy source to the secondary side. The bypass is designed to support a decaying electrical signal in the secondary coil of the high-voltage generator as of a predefined time, or as of a predefined intensity of the current being reached.