A method for hysteresis compensation in an actuator and a selector fork that is adjustable by this actuator and guides a sliding sleeve, by means of a state machine, wherein the selector fork is moved by means of the actuator from a first shift position (xDecoup), namely a neutral position, into at least one second shift position (xCoup), namely a gear position, and vice versa, wherein the position of the actuator (phiAtr, phiCoup, phiDecoup), in the event of a shift request into the neutral position (xDecoup) or into the gear position (xCoup), is corrected on the basis of stored mechanical backlash (phiBL) between the actuator and the selector fork and of a sign (+1, 0, −1) generated by the state machine and associated with the particular shift request.