Method for actuating a multiphase frequency converter for the purpose of actuating an electric machine, wherein the electric machine is suitable as a traction drive for a vehicle, wherein the frequency converter comprises power switch pairs, in each case comprising a first power switch and a second power switch, which are connected in series, wherein the first power switch is connected to a DC voltage (U BAT) and the second power switch is connected to a reference-ground potential of the DC voltage (U BAT), wherein the respective node point of the first to the second power switch (4, 7) is connected to the respective phase winding of the electric machine, comprising the following steps: - determining whether a fault is present, - if a fault is present and a control signal at the first and/or at the second power switch is not active, evaluating whether the frequency converter should be switched to the short-circuit mode or to the freewheeling mode on the basis of the phase winding currents (i U, i V, i W) and on the basis of the position of the rotor of the electric machine; - mathematically transforming the phase winding currents (i U, i V, i W) to a two-dimensional coordinate system having current components (i d, i q) orthogonal to one another - if the current components (i d, i q) are within a tolerance range, transferring the frequency converter to a freewheeling mode, - if the current components (i d, i q) are outside the tolerance range and if the control signal is active and if the current components are outside a first range, transferring the frequency converter to the freewheeling mode, - if the current components (i d, i q) are outside the tolerance range and if the control signal is not active, transferring the frequency converter to the short-circuit mode, - if the current components are outside the tolerance range and if the control signal is active and if the current components are within a first range, transferring the frequency converter to the short-circuit mode. - determining whether a fault is present, - if a fault is present and a control signal at the first and/or at the second power switch is not active, evaluating whether the frequency converter should be switched to the short-circuit mode or to the freewheeling mode on the basis of the phase winding currents (i U, i V, i W) and on the basis of the position of the rotor of the electric machine; - mathematically transforming the phase winding currents (i U, i V, i W) to a two-dimensional coordinate system having current components (i d, i q) orthogonal to one another - if the current components (i d, i q) are within a tolerance range, transferring the frequency converter to a freewheeling mode, - if the current components (i d, i q) are outside the tolerance range and if the control signal is active and if the current components are outside a first range, transferring the frequency converter to the freewheeling mode, - if the current components (i d, i q) are outside the tolerance range and if the control signal is not active, transferring the frequency converter to the short-circuit mode, - if the current components are outside the tolerance range and if the control signal is active and if the current components are within a first range, transferring the frequency converter to the short-circuit mode.