The disclosure relates to a method for operating an electric traction drive system, which comprises an electric motor and a battery with a plurality of battery strings having battery modules. Each battery module is configured to be connected selectively with respect to output terminals of a respective battery string with positive polarization or negative polarization or to be bridged in the respective battery string, such that each battery string is configured to produce an adjustable output voltage. The battery modules are each monitored for proper functioning. When a technical fault in at least one battery module is detected, the at least one battery module is bridged and the traction drive system is transferred to a transition state in which the electric motor continues to be supplied and actuated by the connected battery modules in the battery module string such that a presently generated torque is maintained unchanged.