Device and method for handling a material web, in which the material web is guided by at least one smooth support surface and is then guided together with a porous support belt to a deflection roll includes a suction box. The suction box has a wall opposite from the porous support belt, and creates a vacuum that draws the material web from the support surface to the porous support belt. The device also includes at least one sealing element positioned near a front end, in the web travel direction, the sealing element cooperating with the porous support belt, and a vacuum zone in which the vacuum is provided. The vacuum zone adjoins a side of the porous support belt not contacting the material web and is defined between the porous support belt, the at least one sealing element, the wall of the suction box, and at its rear end, the deflection roll. The device also includes a slot-shaped first suction opening provided in the suction box wall near the rear end of the vacuum zone adjacent to the deflection roll so that air can be aspirated from the vacuum through the first suction opening; and at least one additional suction opening communicating with the vacuum. The at least one additional suction opening is provided in the suction box wall.