A method to control an electrically-operated turbocharger in a supercharged internal combustion engine, wherein the turbocharger has: a turbine, which is inserted in an exhaust duct to rotate under the thrust of the exhaust gases and operates an electric generator, and a compressor, which is mechanically independent of the turbine, is inserted in an intake duct to increase the air pressure and is operated by an electric engine; wherein the control method comprises the steps of: establishing when the intensity of the acoustic emission in the exhaust of the internal combustion engine needs to be increased; and reducing the mechanical power actually absorbed by the electric generator relative to the available mechanical power to increase the intensity of the acoustic emission in the exhaust of the internal combustion engine.