In a combustion element for a light-water reactor, having a large number of fuel rods which are guided in a plurality of axially spaced-apart spacers (4), which each form a grid comprising grid webs (14, 16) with a large number of cells (6), which are arranged in rows (10) and columns (8), a peripheral web (16) of a spacer (4) has a cutout (40) introduced after damage in the region of one cell (6). A repair sleeve (20) with an outer face protruding into the cutout (40) is inserted into the cell (6) and runs flush with the undamaged outer face of the spacer (4). A combustion element damaged in the region of the spacer can thus be repaired and reused.