A method for operating a delivery device for delivering a reducing agent from a reducing agent tank into an exhaust treatment device of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, includes at least intermittently carrying out a ventilation process of the delivery device during operation of the internal combustion engine. A registration of a ventilation process first occurs. A timing unit having a preset time interval and/or a mass-flow summing unit having a preset total mass flow is then actuated. When the preset time interval and/or the preset total mass flow is reached, the ventilation process is then carried out. In particular, monitoring the delivery device by a pressure sensor can thus be omitted. A delivery device for delivering a reducing agent is also provided.