an occupant protection device for a motor vehicle having at least one inflatable airbag which , upon activation leaves through an exit opening , normally closed by a panel or cover , into the interior of the motor vehicle , and having a mechanism , independent of the airbag , for removing the panel or cover . in order to permit immediate activation of the airbag without a time delay and unhindered exiting of the same from the exit opening when an associated sensor or an associated sensor system responds in the event of an accident , the mechanism for removing the panel or cover can be activated separately from the airbag and before the response of the sensor or sensor system effecting the activation of the airbag .