The invention is related to a method of initiating a regenerative converter (1) and corresponding converter (1) including a line bridge (2) and a machine bridge (3), which are interconnected via a DC intermediate circuit (8A, 8B). The method comprises charging, through the line bridge (2) and while the machine bridge (3) remains inactive, the DC intermediate circuit (8A, 8B) to a target voltage (14) higher than peak value of the mains voltage (13).