The invention relates to a controller for a suction gripper (22), comprising an inlet (12) for the working compressed air for an ejector (34), an inlet (18) for control compressed air for a control valve (32), a vacuum connector (24), to which the suction gripper (22) and ejector (34) are connected, whereby the control valve (32) comprises a piston (30) which may be displaced between a working position and an idle position, which, on subjection to a return force, is held against a front face in the idle position thereof and in said idle position is pressurised against the return force on a surface section (46) on the other front face (48) thereof by the working compressed air and comprises a control surface on which the control compressed air acts, whereby the control compressed air pressurizes the control surface (48) against the return force, the force of the working compressed air on the surface section (46) is less than the return force and the sum of the forces of the control compressed air on the control surface (48) and the force of the working compressed air on the surface section is greater than the return force and hence the control valve (32) is shifted from the idle position to the working position and hence the input (12) for working compressed air is connected to the ejector (34).