The invention relates to a side-channel pump (28) and to a method for operating a side-channel pump (28) in which an impeller (22) rotates in a working chamber (23) provided with a side channel (24). According to the invention, the pump (28) is operated at an overspeed with a gas-filled working chamber (23) in a first step. The speed is then reduced to an operating speed in order to pump a liquid. The pump according to the invention has a high suction power as a result of the overspeed, but only gas is drawn initially.
