In mill stands of a continuous rolling train, a product passes through the train is rolled such that the product upon leaving the train has predetermined final characteristics. To remove one of the stands, the mill stand to be removed is completely relieved of load according to a defined temporal load relieving sequence. Locally simultaneously with the load relieving, at least one other mill stand is placed under load according to a defined temporal loading sequence. The load-relieving and loading sequence are mutually adjusted to preserve the final product characteristics. A circumferential roll velocity is controlled until the stand has been completely relieved such that a discharge velocity corresponds always to a predetermined desired discharge velocity. After the complete load-relieving, a correspondence of the circumferential roll velocity to the desired discharge velocity is maintained and the working rolls are lifted off. The mill stand is then deactivated.