A method for operating an electric motor, in particular of a piston pump. The electric motor has a rotor shaft and is actuated with a target rotational speed and a target rotational direction for the rotor shaft as a function of a power demand, wherein an actual rotational speed of the rotor shaft is monitored. In the method, the target rotational direction is changed for a specified period of time if the actual rotational speed is equal to zero and the target rotational speed is unequal to zero, and the electric motor is then actuated again at the target rotational speed and in the target rotational direction.