The invention relates to an illumination device for a motor vehicle headlight, said illumination device comprising the following: —multiple light sources (10) which are designed to emit light beams in a main emission direction, —a primary optical system (100) having multiple light-guiding elements (110), said light-guiding elements (110) being arranged in the main emission direction of the light sources (10) and each having a light entry face (120) into which the light beams of the light sources can be fed, and a light exit face (130), the light-guiding elements (110) opening into a common light exit face (130), and —a holder (200) which is designed to hold the light entry faces (120) of the light-guiding elements (110) in position in relation to the light sources (10), the holder (200) having at least one latching element (210) formed with a latching tab (220) to fasten the primary optical system (100), the latching tab (220) being designed to engage in an undercut (140) associated with the latching tab (220) and provided on the primary optical system (100).