A method for operating a vehicle brake system including a brake booster and an electronic traction control device, which is used as a fallback level in a malfunction of the brake booster. The position of an accelerator pedal is ascertained when a malfunction of the brake booster is detected, and under the precondition that the accelerator pedal is released, a predefined initial pressure is built up in a pressure chamber of a master brake cylinder of the vehicle brake system with the aid of the traction control device so that a deceleration of the vehicle is induced. A control unit which is designed to carry out the method, and a vehicle having a vehicle brake system and a control unit, are also described.