The present invention relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine comprises a charge-air cooler for cooling charge air and comprises a dosing valve. The charge air comprises exhaust gases which are conducted to the charge air cooler, with an adjustable exhaust-gas recirculation rate, from an exhaust tract of the internal combustion engine. In the method, a dosing valve temperature of the dosing valve is determined, and a charge-air temperature of the charge air is detected. Coolant is supplied to the dosing valve and to the charge-air cooler by means of a common adjustable coolant pump as a function of the dosing valve temperature. Furthermore, an exhaust-gas recirculation rate is adjusted as a function of the charge-air temperature and the dosing valve temperature.