Method for operating a continuously variable transmission provided with two pulleys, each provided with two pulley discs which together define a tapering groove and between which a drive belt is clamped with the aid of an axial clamping force for transmitting a torque supplied to the transmission, during normal operation of the transmission, from one pulley to the other pulley with the aid of friction between the discs and the drive belt. The transmission is operated by an electronic operating unit which can influence at least the axial clamping force, wherein when the transmission is operating, the degree of movement between the pulley discs and the drive belt, i.e. drive belt slip, is detected by the operating unit with the aid of slip-detection means, and when the said degree of drive belt slip exceeds a critical limit, the operating unit uses an operating measure to actively reduce the degree of drive belt slip. The said critical limit is preferably determined as a function of a maximum permissible degree of the drive belt slip for the instantaneous transmission ratio of the transmission and the axial clamping force.