A method for operating a motor vehicle brake installation. An electrically controllable pressure modulation device having a pump-valve arrangement is hydraulically arranged between the primary brake system and the front axle brakes. The pump-valve arrangement includes, for each front brake, a first valve, arranged between the inlet valve of the primary brake system and the brake, and an electrically activatable pump, with a suction and pressures ports. The pressure port is connected to the brake. In the presence of a predetermined condition of the primary brake system and of an actuation of the master brake cylinder by the driver, a build-up of brake pressure at the front axle brakes is performed by the pump-valve arrangement. The pressure set by the pump-valve arrangement is higher than the brake pressure in the master brake cylinder, whereas the brake pressure of the master brake cylinder prevails at the brakes of the rear axle.