Disclosed are a method for operating a hybrid vehicle, in which a predefined setpoint torque (mifa) is cumulatively generated by at least one internal combustion engine (10) and at least one electric motor (40), and a device for carrying out said method. According to the invention, the torque contribution (MdB) of the internal combustion engine (10) is defined in accordance with at least one exhaust gas parameter (NOx, HC, CO, particles, Tabg) in a first step while the torque contribution (MdE) of the electric motor (40) is defined in a second step based on the difference (dM) between the setpoint torque (mifa) and the torque contribution of the internal combustion engine (10) defined in the first step. The inventive method allows the internal combustion engine to be operated in an optimal fashion regarding emissions.