A method is described for operating a control apparatus having a programmable memory unit wherein the programming of the memory unit takes place with a sequential execution of a multiplicity of memory programming control operations. The described method is characterized in that: a check step S1 is provided with the aid of which it can be determined whether all, selected individual or several of the memory programming control operations, which must be then have been carried out and a decision step S2 is provided, in which, while considering the check result, a decision is made as to whether the programming operation should be continued as prescribed by executing further memory programming control operations.