The invention relates to thermoplastic molding compositions comprising A) from 10 to 97% by weight of a thermoplastic polyester B) from 1 to 20% by weight of a phosphinic salt C) from 1 to 20% by weight of a nitrogen-containing flame retardant D) from 0.5 to 30% by weight of a dicarboxylic salt of the formula where R1 to R4 are mutually independently halogen or hydrogen, with the proviso that at least one moiety R1 to R4 is halogen, x=from 1 to 3 m=from 1 to 9 n=from 2 to 3 M=alkaline earth metal, Ni, Ce, Fe, In, Ga, Al, Pb, Y, Zn, Hg E) from 0 to 50% by weight of other additives, where the total of the percentages by weight of components A) to E) gives 100%.