Abstract: A gas bag module includes a gas bag stowed folded in a housing. To provide a gas bag module which permits a controlled emergence of the gas bag on it being activated and, more particularly, permits a reduction in the velocity with which the cover hits an obstacle, said gas bag is surrounded by a sleeve provided with a tear line, said sleeve permitting free deployment of said gas bag in the main direction away from the bottom of said housing up to a fraction of its volume, the sleeve then being tensioned by the force of expansion of said deploying gas bag and allowing further expansion of said gas bag laterally away from said main direction until said sleeve is torn open at said tear line, permitting further expansion of said gas bag also in said main direction.