An X-ray emitter includes an anode rotatably mounted arranged inside a vacuum housing. It can be set into rotation by an electric drive. In the region of a focal spot, the anode can be exposed to an electron beam emitted by a cathode. According to an embodiment of the invention, a control unit is configured to activate an electromagnetic deflection unit that deflects the electron beam as a function of at least one operating parameter of the electric drive such that a movement of the focal spot, caused by electromagnetic fields of the electric drive, can be at least partly compensated for. An embodiment of the invention further relates to a method for compensating for a focal spot movement when X-ray emitters in operation.