A method for operating a discharge lamp by modulating a current signal is presented. The discharge lamp is operated with at least two different frequencies. At first a probability distribution function for a first number of first frequency periods and a second number of second frequency periods is defined. Next, the first number of first frequency periods and the second number of second frequency periods are determined depending on the probability distribution function by at least one random number. The current signal is modulated by applying the first number of first frequency periods and the second number of second frequency periods to the current signal for operating the discharge lamp.