A motor control device which prevents runaway reverse rotation arising from failure of detection of a rotational speed drop of a motor to a preset value when reverse torque braking is applied. In the first invention, rotation drop detection section 5 detects, from rotational pulses P1 generated by rotational pulse generation section 4, a rotational speed drop to the preset value and outputs rotation drop detection pulse P2. Timer section 6 is activated by rotation stopping signal S1 and outputs pulse P3 upon lapse of the maximum rotation stopping required time of the motor. Control section 1 delivers, upon reception of rotation stopping signal S1 from the outside, a signal to apply reverse torque to motor drive section 2 and then delivers, upon reception of rotation drop detection pulse P2 or pulse P3, an instruction to stop reverse torque. In the second invention, timer section 7 is additionally provided. If the motor enters reverse rotation after a motor rotational speed drop is not detected, control section 1 delivers an instruction to apply forward torque by pulse P3 and timer section 7 is also activated by pulse P3. When a preset time elapses, timer section 7 outputs, to control section 1, pulse P4, in response to which control section 1 delivers an instruction to again apply reverse torque. Control section 1 delivers, when the motor rotational speed becomes lower than a preset value, another instruction to cancel torque application.