A method for controlling a supply of refrigerant to an evaporator (2) of a vapour compression system (1), such as a refrigeration system, an air condition system or a heat pump. The opening degree of the expansion valve (3) is controlled on the basis of an air temperature, T air , of air flowing across the evaporator (2), and in order to reach a reference air temperature, T air, ref . The opening degree is set to the calculated opening degree, overlaid with a perturbation signal. A temperature signal, S 2 , representing a temperature of refrigerant leaving the evaporator (2) is monitored and analysed. In the case that the analysis reveals that a dry zone of the evaporator (2) is approaching a minimum length, the opening degree of the expansion valve (3) is decreased. This provides a safety mechanism which ensures that liquid refrigerant is prevented from passing through the evaporator (2).