A method for operating a device for providing a liquid additive, the device having a delivery path running from a tank to an additive dispensing device, at least one section of the delivery path forming a jacket, includes: delivering the liquid additive from the tank to the additive dispensing device along the delivery path in a delivery direction; stopping the delivery of the liquid additive; at least partially evacuating the section of the delivery path; and forming a thermal insulator in the jacket by the evacuated delivery path.