Abstract: A process and device for controlling a vehicle brake system, in which a central controller and a plurality of other decentralized control units are provided. This system is initialized from the central controller over the communication connecting the control units, at least by transferring corresponding addresses. When the brake pedal is actuated before or during the initializing phase, the brake system is electronically controlled as a function of specified reference values even if the system initialization has not yet been carried out or was not completely carried out.