In a known method for operating an amalgam lamp having a nominal power Poptimum, it is provided that a lamp voltage Uoptimum designed for a maximum UVC emission is applied between electrodes or a lamp current Ioptimum designed for a maximum UVC emission flows between electrodes. The discharge space is accessible for an amalgam deposit, which is heatable by a heating element in which a heating current Iheating is conducted through the heating element. Starting from this background, in order to provide an operating mode that ensures a stable operation in the region of the optimum power, it is proposed that a target value of the lamp current Itarget is set that is less than Ioptimum and that the heating current Iheating is turned on or increased when the lamp current falls below a lower limit I1 and is turned off or reduced when it exceeds an upper limit I2 for the lamp current.