The invention relates to a thin-walled, cold-formed profile element, in particular a structural profile, for example a drywall construction, facade, plaster, screed, tile or cable carrier profile or a shelf or drain rail. The profile element has an elongated profile body, in particular metallic or consisting of plastic, in which a multiplicity of openings is formed. The profile body comprises at least two separately constructed longitudinal sections, each longitudinal section comprising a serpentine longitudinal edge. The longitudinal sections each comprise an elongated section and a plurality of connecting sections projecting laterally beyond the elongated section, which are bordered by the serpentine longitudinal edge. The connecting sections of the one longitudinal section face the connecting sections of the other longitudinal section and are in each case welded to the latter edge to edge or joined to one another along curved abutting edges. At least in some sections, the openings are bordered by sections of the serpentine longitudinal edges. Formed in the longitudinal sections are reinforcing beads running in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal sections and also reinforcing beads running transversely thereto, the reinforcing beads running transversely being connected to the reinforcing beads running in the longitudinal direction, and the reinforcing beads running transversely extending into the connecting sections. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a profile element.