A method for operating an electrical system in a motor vehicle having two electrical machines connected to the electrical system via one controllable inverter each. A regulated generator mode is initiated. A first step detects a drop below a first predetermined voltage in the electrical system. A second step, on the basis of an induced freewheeling voltage expected for one of the electrical machines, selects one of the inverters and actuating such that the electrical machine connected thereto is operated in electrical freewheel, with the result that the rotation of said machine induces a freewheeling voltage in the electrical system. A third step detects the rise above a second predetermined voltage for the induced electrical freewheeling voltage available in the electrical system. A fourth step actuates the inverter of the first electrical machine such that the first electrical machine connected thereto is operated in regulated generator mode.