In order to provide a handheld work machine that does not require expensive start circuitry for the critical start-up phase of the combustion engine, and in which nevertheless the required constant supply voltage for the engine is present in order to achieve optimum starting behaviour, a handheld work machine is provided with at least one combustion engine which in operation requires a supply voltage, and with a voltage generator that supplies a generator voltage that depends on the rotary speed of the combustion engine, which generator voltage is used to generate the supply voltage, wherein the handheld work machine is electrically connected to an additional voltage source that prior to starting the combustion engine provides the required supply voltage that at this point in time is not yet present.