A cable lock which is simple, functionally reliable and can be produced economically, includes a housing with a through-passage for a cable and a clamping element deflected laterally in a locking position from a cable being inserted there and blocked against giving way. An adjusting member neutralizes the blocking of the clamping element in an open position, achieved by mounting the clamping element, on its side remote from the cable, with play in an elongated-hole-like aperture. A sliding element is inserted behind the clamping element in a guide running transversely to the aperture. The sliding element is linked to the adjusting member through a connecting piece. The sliding element is located behind the clamping element in an initial and locking position and is displaced laterally by the rotated adjusting member and the connecting piece in an open position and the play in the aperture is released.