A parking brake having an actuator, wherein the actuator is driven with a direct current motor which can be operated in two directions and which moves a piston of the actuator and, via a self-locking gear mechanism of the actuator, at least one brake shoe for applying or releasing the parking brake. A control unit for performing open-loop or closed-loop control of the movement of the direct current motor is also provided. During open-loop or closed-loop control of the movement of the direct current motor for applying and/or releasing the parking brake, the control unit takes into account a hydraulic admission pressure which is currently present at the piston if the brake is applied or was present at the piston if the brake has been released when it had previously been applied. A corresponding method for operating such a parking brake is also disclosed.