In a method for closed loop controlling the air system in an internal combustion engine, in particular a diesel internal combustion engine with a first actuating element for recirculated exhaust gas in the exhaust gas recirculation tract and a second actuating element for air in the inlet tract, the two actuating elements being adjusted as a function of each other. In order to increase the quality of closed loop control, provision is made for each actuating element to be controlled separately by its own respective controller, each controller being optimally configured for the respective controlled system, and a target value being provided for each controller.