An airbag module for installing in a motor vehicle, having an airbag formed from an airbag fabric and having an inflation device for the airbag which is folded up before being triggered, wherein the airbag has at least one adaptive ventilation opening which, in the folded state before inflation of the airbag, is held at least partially in a closed state, and wherein a catch strap, which is detachably retained with one end thereof on the airbag module or a part fixed to the vehicle and which is fixedly connected with the other end thereof, which extends over the adaptive ventilation opening, to the airbag, is provided in such a way that, when the airbag is inflated, before the detachably retained end of the catch strap is released, the catch strap which is tensioned by the inflation pressure prevents the adaptive ventilation opening from opening, wherein the adaptive ventilation opening (20) is formed by a slot (11) cut into the airbag fabric (10), at the two ends of which slot (11) is provided a respective formation (21) which prevents the slot (11) from tearing under pressure loading, and in such a way that the catch strap, which is arranged on the inner side of the airbag and which extends over the slot (11) as the adaptive ventilation opening (20), is guided through a securing loop (17) which is attached to the airbag fabric opposite the fastening point (15) of the one end (14) of said catch strap with respect to the slot (11), and said catch strap is subsequently guided onward to the point at which it is retained on the part fixed to the vehicle.