Abstract: The invention relates to an optical plug connector comprising two plugs (1,2) each of which holds an end portion of an optical waveguide (OWG 10) and which can be inserted from opposite sides into a coupling sleeve (7) until the end faces of the OWGs (10) are located against each other, and comprising a guide element (5,9) for guiding and aligning the OWGs (10), which guide element can be axially inserted in both plugs (1,2) and which extends beyond their joint area. Damage to the OWGs caused by an inappropriate attempt to form a plug connection without using a guide element is precluded in that stop elements (17,18) are provided at the plugs, which stop elements cooperate with the stop elements of the mating plug in such a manner that when the guide element (9) is not inserted, the OWG-holding elements (12) of the plugs are prevented from moving completely towards each other in an axial direction.