A vibration damper with a piston, a piston rod fastened to the piston, a working chamber divided by the piston into a first working chamber and second working chamber, and a generator drivable by movement of the piston rod. The damping force of the vibration damper can be influenced by energization of the generator. An energizable component part is provided that short-circuits the windings of the generator when unenergized and cancels the short circuit when energized.