A control device (8) for an inverter (2) that feeds an electric machine (3), wherein the control device (8) is configured to provide pulse-width modulated switching signals (15) with a carrier frequency to drive switching elements (12) of the inverter (2), wherein the control device (8) is configured to determine the carrier frequency depending on operating point information that describes an operating point defined by a rotation speed and a torque of the electric machine (3) and, as the rotation speed increases and the magnitude of the torque falls, to increase the carrier frequency within an operating region (22) that extends within a rotation speed interval with a lower rotation speed limit (23) differing from zero and with an upper rotation speed limit (24) lying in a power-limiting operating region (21) or field-weakening operating region.