A method and device are provided for removing a faulty yarn portion at a work station of an open-end spinning machine after the work station is stopped in a controlled manner, particularly after a defect of the spun yarn is detected by a quality sensor. Prior to a request to connect a suction nozzle of the work station for sucking off of the faulty yarn portion, the value of a vacuum in a central channel of the vacuum system of the open-end spinning machine is determined and evaluated. The suction nozzle is connected to the central vacuum channel only after the current capacity of the vacuum source detected is sufficient, or only after a sufficiently high vacuum is achieved.