A method for maintaining a detected absolute position of an electric motor operating as an actuator during a critical operation involves the electric motor (2) being controlled by a controller (1) which is supplied with energy from an energy source. In the method, with which an absolute value sensor can be omitted, the absolute position of the electric motor (2) is measured during the operation thereof, wherein rotations of the electric motor (2) are detected. The rotations are counted, and a count value is output to a microprocessor (3) of the controller (1) in order to actuate the electric motor (2), and in the event of a critical operation, the currently detected count value is maintained by means of an independent voltage supply (7).