Method and device for operating an internal combustion engine

The method involves compressing air fed into an internal combustion engine by a compressor of an exhaust gas turbocharger. Charging air-pressure at an outlet of the compressor is adjusted as desired by an actuator (10), which is controlled based on an adjustable exhaust gas counter pressure in an exhaust gas system. The counter pressure is subjected to limits, which are accomplished based on the rotation speed of a turbine of turbocharger. An independent claim is also included for a device for operating an internal combustion engine.