A thermoelectric generator for converting heat of a hot gas flow into electrical energy, wherein the thermoelectric generator has the following: • at least one thermoelectric module (3; 300) with a plurality of thermoelectric elements, • a gas channel (6; 106) on a high-temperature side of the thermoelectric module (3; 300) for conducting the hot gas flow in a flow direction of the gas channel (6; 106), • a heat sink (1; 101) for cooling the thermoelectric module (3; 300) and • at least one heat-conducting member (7; 109), which on the hot-temperature side of the thermoelectric module (3; 300) extends into the gas channel (6; 106) in a direction running transverse to the flow direction and within the gas channel (6; 106) has a free end, wherein the heat-conducting member is part of the thermoelectric module (3; 300) or is connected on the hot-temperature side of the thermoelectric module (3; 300) to the thermoelectric module (3; 300), wherein the thermoelectric generator has a seal (2; 102), characterised in that - the heat sink (1; 101) is in contact with the thermoelectric module (3; 300) on a low-temperature side thereof, - the seal separates a space, which is arranged between the heat sink (1; 101) and the gas channel (6; 106), from the gas channel (6; 106) and, during operation of the thermoelectric generator, seals the space with respect to the hot gas flow flowing in the gas channel (6; 106), and - the seal (2; 102) extends from the heat-conducting member (7; 109) or from one of the heat-conducting members (7; 109) to a gas channel wall or to a supporting part of the thermoelectric generator, but is not connected to the gas channel wall or the supporting part of the thermoelectric generator. • at least one thermoelectric module (3; 300) with a plurality of thermoelectric elements, • a gas channel (6; 106) on a high-temperature side of the thermoelectric module (3; 300) for conducting the hot gas flow in a flow direction of the gas channel (6; 106), • a heat sink (1; 101) for cooling the thermoelectric module (3; 300) and • at least one heat-conducting member (7; 109), which on the hot-temperature side of the thermoelectric module (3; 300) extends into the gas channel (6; 106) in a direction running transverse to the flow direction and within the gas channel (6; 106) has a free end, wherein the heat-conducting member is part of the thermoelectric module (3; 300) or is connected on the hot-temperature side of the thermoelectric module (3; 300) to the thermoelectric module (3; 300), - the heat sink (1; 101) is in contact with the thermoelectric module (3; 300) on a low-temperature side thereof, - the seal separates a space, which is arranged between the heat sink (1; 101) and the gas channel (6; 106), from the gas channel (6; 106) and, during operation of the thermoelectric generator, seals the space with respect to the hot gas flow flowing in the gas channel (6; 106), and - the seal (2; 102) extends from the heat-conducting member (7; 109) or from one of the heat-conducting members (7; 109) to a gas channel wall or to a supporting part of the thermoelectric generator, but is not connected to the gas channel wall or the supporting part of the thermoelectric generator.