The invention relates to a low-pressure discharge lamp comprising a glass discharge vessel (1) which is substantially tubular in form and which is closed in a gas-tight manner on the ends thereof, a filling consisting of an inert gas mixture and quicksilver, in addition to an optional luminous coating on the inner wall of the discharge vessel (1). Two current supply inlets are respectively melted into the two ends of the discharge vessel (1), with a helical electrode secured thereto (5). The invention is characterized in that in order to increase the switching resistance of the lamp in a cold start operation, at least one other electrode (7,8) made of a conductive material is arranged in the region between the helical electrode (5) and the connecting end of the discharge vessel (1) and one end of said other electrode (7, 8) is electrically connected to one of the two current supply inlets (3,4).