The present invention relates to a submodule (1) for a converter in the high-voltage range with a reduced risk of cross-ignition. The submodule has a first and a second energy storage means (3, 4) which are connected in series, a first and a second semiconductor series circuit (13, 15) which are respectively connected in parallel with the first (3) and the second (4) energy storage means and which comprise a first (6) and a second (7), and respectively a third (9) and a fourth (10), power semiconductor switching unit which can be switched on and switched off, a first connection terminal (20) which is connected to a first potential point between the first and the second power semiconductor switching unit (6, 7), a second connection terminal (21) which is connected to a second potential point between the third and the fourth power semiconductor unit (9, 10). The invention proposes arranging a connecting switching unit (8) between the first and the second semiconductor series circuit (15), arranging a first connecting branch (14) with a first connecting branch diode (17) between the first potential point and the potential point between the energy storage means (3, 4), and arranging a second connecting branch (16) with a second connecting branch diode (18) between the second potential point and the potential point between the energy storage units (3, 4), wherein the connecting branch diodes (18, 19) are oriented in opposite directions to one another.