The invention relates to a method for operating an electric machine (4), in particular of a motor vehicle (1), having a stator (10) with at least one stator coil. The stator coil is energized in order to set a required torque of the electric machine (4), and a temperature of the stator (10) of the electric machine (4) is detected by means of a temperature sensor (12). The current flowing through the stator coil is monitored in order to plausibility-check the detected temperature. In order to plausibility-check the temperature, the current in the stator coil is increased while maintaining the same torque, and the temperature is monitored for a temperature increase.