A gas turbine includes an intake tract and a compressor having a compressor flow channel. The compressor further includes an inlet guide vane row positioned in the compressor flow channel having inlet guide vanes that can be adjusted. The gas turbine has an icing sensor unit having at least one sensor arranged between a first compressor blade row and a first compressor guide vane row. The first compressor blade row is thereby arranged in the compressor flow channel directly downstream of the inlet guide vane row, and the first compressor guide vane row is arranged directly downstream of the first compressor blade row. A method detects an imminent icing of the compressor, and the compressor is safeguarded therefrom such that at least inlet guide vanes of the inlet guide vane row are adjusted such that the acceleration of an intake air mass flow is reduced.