The document specifies a method for fault handling in a converter circuit for switching three voltage levels, in which the converter circuit has a converter subsystem provided for each phase (R,S,T), in which a top fault current path (A) or a bottom fault current path (B) in the converter subsystem is detected, the top fault current path (A) running through the first, second, third and sixth power semiconductor switches in the converter subsystem or through the first and fifth power semiconductor switches (S1, S5) in the converter subsystem, and the bottom fault current path (B) running through the second, third, fourth and fifth power semiconductor switches in the converter subsystem or through the fourth and sixth power semiconductor switches in the converter subsystem, and in which the power semiconductor switches are switched on the basis of a fault switching sequence. To avoid phase shorting of all the phases of the converter circuit in order to achieve a safe operating state for the converter circuit in the event of a fault, the fault switching sequence in the event of detection of the top or the bottom fault current path (A, B) is initially followed by the detection's accompanying switching status of each power semiconductor switch being recorded. In addition, in the event of detection of the top fault current path (A) the first power semiconductor switch and then the third power semiconductor are turned off, and in the event of detection of the bottom fault current path (B) the fourth power semiconductor switch and then the second power semiconductor are turned off.