The present invention refers to an X-ray tube of the rotary-anode type which comprises at least one temporarily negatively biased auxiliary grid electrode (1 19) with an aperture through which an electron beam (115) emitted by a tube cathode's thermoionic electron emitter (111) can pass. As an alternative thereto, the auxiliary grid electrode (119) may also be positively biased so as to enhance electron emission from a thermoionic electron emitter (111). The auxiliary grid electrode may thereby be connected to a supply voltage UAUX of a controllable voltage supply unit by means of a feedthrough cable (120) serving as a feeding line for providing the main control grid (112) with a grid supply voltage UG.