In a magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus and an operating method for the apparatus, image distortions are corrected that occur in exposures of diffusion-weighted MR images of an examination subject.A diffusion-weighted image is acquired using a first acquisition process.Another diffusion-weighted reference image is acquired using a second acquisition process that is different than the first acquisition process.The second acquisition process causes significantly smaller eddy current-dependent image distortions than the first acquisition process given the same b-value.Correction parameters to correct the image distortions of the diffusion-weighted image are determined by comparing the diffusion-weighted image with the reference image in order to determine the correction parameters such that the diffusion-weighted image can be converted into the reference image with the aid of the correction parameters.