In order to protect the sidewall of a vehicle wheel from damage caused by an antiskid chain mounted on the wheel, a sidewall protection cover having a U-shaped body is provided. The sidewall protection cover accommodates a chain link of a chain side strand that is situated against the sidewall. The body is preferably one piece and has two wings that are connected along a spine, where the wings enclose a space for accommodating the chain link, and at least one of the wings has a holding element, on its side that faces inward, in the form of a projection for holding the chain link and/or a connection element suspended on it in place between the wings.