A method is provided for protecting an all-wheel drive clutch of a two-axle vehicle with clutch-controlled all-wheel drive. A power braking situation, where both the accelerator pedal and the brake are actuated and the vehicle is stationary or moves only slightly in the vehicle longitudinal direction, may be critical for the all-wheel drive clutch. For example, when the friction coefficient of the primary axle is very small and the wheel braking torque is less than the driving torque, a clutch slip may occur at the all-wheel drive clutch. Upon detecting a power braking situation, a protective measure is implemented against thermal overload of the all-wheel drive clutch, such as reducing or limiting the engine torque output, so that the clutch slip and the energy input into the all-wheel drive clutch are reduced.