A device for controlling a hydraulically operable switching element (2) of an automatic transmission of a vehicle with a position valve mechanism (3) having a main switch piston (6) which is spring biased into a first switch position and a second switch position with a pilot pressure (P_MV) which is adjustable through an electrically operated actuator (5). An additional switch piston (7) and the main switch piston (6) are axially actuated in a valve housing (8). Depending on the position of the pistons (6, 7), faces (6A, 7A) of the respective pistons are either spaced apart or adjacent. The additional switch piston (7) is adjustable depending on a pilot pressure (p_K) of a switching element which engages a gear for forward drive.