The present invention provides a process for preventing fumaric acid deposits in the preparation of maleic anhydride, comprising the following steps:a) absorption of a C4-dicarboxylic acid or of a derivative from a crude product mixture into an organic solvent or water as an absorbent,b) removal of the C4-dicarboxylic acid or of a derivative from the absorbent,the absorbent thus recovered being catalytically hydrogenated fully or partly and recycled fully or partly into the absorption stage (a).