The present disclosure relates to an applicator for applying a coating agent (e.g. sealant) to a component (e.g. motor vehicle body component), having a nozzle for dispensing the coating agent and an elongate nozzle carrier which supports the nozzle. The invention provides that the nozzle carrier has a yield region in which the nozzle carrier is substantially less bend-resistant than in the remainder of the nozzle carrier in order to be able to yield elastically to contact forces in the event of contact between the applicator and the component to be coated.