A self-venting rapid connection-release coupling for pressurized gas lines, and in particular compressed air lines, has a coupling socket (1) and a coupling plug (2). The coupling socket is provided with two locking devices (22, 23) for the coupling plug (2), and these devices can be released in succession by a motion, in the same direction, of a slider sleeve (30) on the coupling socket (1). Moving the slider sleeve from a start or coupled position to an intermediate position, a first locking device (22) is released, but the slider sleeve (30) is arrested by a locking element (47), and the plug is held by the second locking device (23). The lockig element (47) is controlled as a function of the gas pressure in the coupling plug (2), until the gas pressure in the coupling plug (2) and the line to the severed compressed air line has been reduced by venting through venting conduits (51, 53). Only after the pressure has been released and vented, can the slider sleeve (30 ) be moved to a position permitting release of the coupling plug (2) from the socket (1).