A semiconductor component has at least one organic semiconductor layer. The component also includes at least one protective layer for at least partially covering the at least one organic semiconductor layer to protect against environmental influences. The at least one protective layer contains a proportion of an alkane with C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1 and n greater than or equal to 15 or consists entirely of an alkane of this type, or of a mixture of alkanes of this type. In one example, the protective layer is a paraffin wax. This creates a high resistance to moisture.