Crosslinkable compositions based on organosilicon compounds contain at least one compound of the formula H(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.n(OCHCH.sub.3CH.sub.2).sub.p(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).- sub.mOH (III) and/or a reaction product thereof with hydrolyzable organosilicon compound(s), where n is 0 or an integer from 1 to 30, m is 0 or an integer from 1 to 30, and the sum of n and m is greater than 5, and p is 1, 2, or 3. The compositions have superior application properties as compared to similar compositions without compound III.