Operating method for a conveying device with an eccentric screw pump for conveying viscous construction materials comprising the following steps: - sensing a pressure of the construction material at an outlet of the eccentric screw pump when the eccentric screw pump is running and automatically switching off the eccentric screw pump if the pressure exceeds an upper limit value, otherwise continued operation of the eccentric screw pump; - sensing a characteristic variable of the running eccentric screw pump and comparison of the characteristic variable with a first comparison variable, which is characteristic of operation with an open dispensing device, and/or with a second comparison variable, which is characteristic of operation with a closed dispensing device, and switching off the eccentric screw pump if operation with a closed dispensing device is detected, otherwise continued operation of the eccentric screw pump; - if continued operation is undertaken, renewed performance of the aforementioned steps takes place; - if switching off of the eccentric screw pump is undertaken, a pressure prevailing at the outlet of the eccentric screw pump is monitored in such a way that the operation of the eccentric screw pump is started once again and the aforementioned steps are performed once again if o either the pressure falls by a first pressure difference within a first time interval due to opening of a dispensing device or an open dispensing device o or, for system-related reasons, the pressure falls more slowly to a lower limit value or by a second pressure difference with a closed dispensing device, the second pressure difference being greater than the first pressure difference. - sensing a pressure of the construction material at an outlet of the eccentric screw pump when the eccentric screw pump is running and automatically switching off the eccentric screw pump if the pressure exceeds an upper limit value, otherwise continued operation of the eccentric screw pump; - sensing a characteristic variable of the running eccentric screw pump and comparison of the characteristic variable with a first comparison variable, which is characteristic of operation with an open dispensing device, and/or with a second comparison variable, which is characteristic of operation with a closed dispensing device, and switching off the eccentric screw pump if operation with a closed dispensing device is detected, otherwise continued operation of the eccentric screw pump; - if continued operation is undertaken, renewed performance of the aforementioned steps takes place; - if switching off of the eccentric screw pump is undertaken, a pressure prevailing at the outlet of the eccentric screw pump is monitored in such a way that the operation of the eccentric screw pump is started once again and the aforementioned steps are performed once again if o either the pressure falls by a first pressure difference within a first time interval due to opening of a dispensing device or an open dispensing device o or, for system-related reasons, the pressure falls more slowly to a lower limit value or by a second pressure difference with a closed dispensing device, the second pressure difference being greater than the first pressure difference. o either the pressure falls by a first pressure difference within a first time interval due to opening of a dispensing device or an open dispensing device o or, for system-related reasons, the pressure falls more slowly to a lower limit value or by a second pressure difference with a closed dispensing device, the second pressure difference being greater than the first pressure difference.