The invention relates to a control device for operating a load circuit provided with an inductive load, comprising a control stage producing a pulse-width modulated control signal with measuring disconnection intervals provided in between said control signal, a power stage feeding the load circuit and comprising an electronic switch controlled by the pulse-width modulated control signal and a freewheeling element which is connected in parallel to said load circuit. In order to improve upon said device so that it is possible to determine in a simple manner the amount of current flowing into the load circuit, a current detection unit for determining the amount of current flowing into the load circuit prior to the measuring disconnection interval detects the duration of freewheeling time and calculates the value of said current therefrom.