The invention relates to a method and device for the operation of an automatic start/stop system in a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine, a manually operated gearbox and a pedal-operated clutch, wherein the internal combustion engine is automatically stopped or restarted under predetermined conditions even with a gear engaged. The conditions under which the internal combustion engine is automatically restarted include two indicators that indicate that an automatic restart of the internal combustion engine is safe and desired, namely an indicator that indicates that a restart is safe and an indicator that indicates that the driver wants a restart. The indicator that indicates that a restart is safe is based on signals from two sensors, namely a sensor that senses whether the gearbox is in neutral and a sensor that directly senses the position of the clutch pedal.