Abstract: A control for an injection system of a multicylinder internal combustion engine has a high pressure pump connected to a distributor element provided with outlet openings from which branch lines lead separately to groups of injection valves. The distributor element has first and second spring biased pistons that are operable to block selectively fuel to the branch lines, each of the pistons having a throttle point situated therein. When a major leak develops downstream from the distributor element, the branch line in which the leak has occurred is automatically shut off by the associated piston in the distributor element, due to the imbalance in pressure which results. When a minor leak develops, one of the branch lines is automatically closed by a control unit shutting off the injection valves associated with the other branch line, while the high pressure pump continues to deliver for at least one operating cycle.