A computer for generating correcting variables for the operation of an internal combustion engine (10), which comprises exhaust gas valves (24) and comprises at least one component (17, 18, 20, 31), through which the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine (10) flows, wherein the device comprises a first characteristic map (36), which can be addressed by operating parameters of the internal combustion engine (10) and from which values of the temperature which occurs at the exhaust gas valves (24) during operation of the internal combustion engine (10) and is dependent on these operating parameters can be read out, wherein the computer comprises a further characteristic map (50), which is at least partially an inverted characteristic map (50) with respect to the first characteristic map (36), which can be addressed by input variables dependent on output variables of the first characteristic map (36) and from which values of correcting variables can be read out, which are associated with the input variables, wherein the readable values of the correcting variables are predefined such that specified maximum values of the component temperature are not exceeded for the component (17, 18, 20, 31) through which the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine (10) flows.