Packaging machine with a system for detecting a packaging element

A packaging machine (4) comprising at least one system (1) for detecting the presence and/or absence and/or position of a first packaging element (8) in the packaging machine (4), comprising:

• a profile sensor (2) configured to detect a profile (12) that is representative of the presence and/or absence and/or position of the first packaging element (8), and a control unit (3) configured to evaluate the profile (12) detected by the profile sensor (2) and to provide at least one piece of information concerning the presence and/or absence and/or position of the first packaging element (8), wherein the packaging machine (4) comprises at least one holding element (5) for holding the first packaging element (8), and/or a sliding element (6) for moving the first packaging element (8), wherein a contour of the at least one holding element (5) and/or a contour of the sliding element (6) is part (13) of the profile (12).