Converter module for a multilevel converter, comprising an energy store connected in parallel with a series circuit of a first and a second semiconductor switching unit (15, 16), wherein at least one of the semiconductor switching units (15, 16) has a bidirectional switch that is a semiconductor switch having a blocking capability both in the forward and reverse directions, characterized by a switch-on unit connected in parallel with the bidirectional switch, by means of which a switch-on voltage for switching on the bidirectional switch can be generated from a voltage dropped across the bidirectional switch, wherein the switch-on voltage can be generated via voltage division of the voltage dropped across the bidirectional switch, wherein the switch-on unit comprises a deactivation switch, by means of which the switch-on unit can be deactivated, wherein the switch-on unit comprises - a first divider branch between a first connection of the bidirectional switch and a central potential point, - a second divider branch between a second connection of the bidirectional switch and the central potential point, and - a control branch between a control connection of the bidirectional switch and the central potential point, wherein the first and second divider branches (36, 39) respectively comprise at least one resistance element (38, 40) that are dimensioned in such a way that the switch-on voltage for switching on the bidirectional switch can be generated via voltage division of the voltage dropped across the bidirectional switch, wherein the deactivation switch is arranged in the first or second divider branch (36, 38) a switch-on unit connected in parallel with the bidirectional switch, by means of which a switch-on voltage for switching on the bidirectional switch can be generated from a voltage dropped across the bidirectional switch, wherein the switch-on voltage can be generated via voltage division of the voltage dropped across the bidirectional switch, wherein the switch-on unit comprises a deactivation switch, by means of which the switch-on unit can be deactivated, wherein the switch-on unit comprises - a first divider branch between a first connection of the bidirectional switch and a central potential point, - a second divider branch between a second connection of the bidirectional switch and the central potential point, and - a control branch between a control connection of the bidirectional switch and the central potential point, wherein the first and second divider branches (36, 39) respectively comprise at least one resistance element (38, 40) that are dimensioned in such a way that the switch-on voltage for switching on the bidirectional switch can be generated via voltage division of the voltage dropped across the bidirectional switch, wherein the deactivation switch is arranged in the first or second divider branch (36, 38) - a first divider branch between a first connection of the bidirectional switch and a central potential point, - a second divider branch between a second connection of the bidirectional switch and the central potential point, and - a control branch between a control connection of the bidirectional switch and the central potential point, wherein the first and second divider branches (36, 39) respectively comprise at least one resistance element (38, 40) that are dimensioned in such a way that the switch-on voltage for switching on the bidirectional switch can be generated via voltage division of the voltage dropped across the bidirectional switch, wherein the deactivation switch is arranged in the first or second divider branch (36, 38)