A machine for laying a catenary cable or a contact wire of an overhead line extending above a track comprises a machine frame supported on undercarriages for mobility along the track, a storage drum mounted on the machine frame and carrying a reel of the catenary cable or contact wire to be paid out from the storage drum, and a guiding device for the paid-out catenary cable or contact wire. The guiding device is pivotable about a horizontal axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine frame and comprises a supporting mast having a longitudinal axis, a guide roller mounted to the supporting mast and arranged to be engaged by the paid-out catenary cable or contact wire, a drive for vertically adjusting the guide roller, and a drive for pivoting the guiding device about the horizontal axis. The guide roller is designed for adjustment relative to the supporting mast in a direction extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis thereof and transversely to the longitudinal direction of the machine frame, and a drive is provided for transversely adjusting the guide roller relative to the supporting mast.