The present invention provides a process for preparing polymer powders by evaporating the volatile constituents from aqueous dispersions of film-forming polymers P in the presence of drying assistants T selected from the salts of oligomeric arylsulfonic acid-formaldehyde condensates wherein prior to the evaporation of the volatile constituents the aqueous polymer dispersion comprises at least 1.5% by weight, preferably at least 1.7% by weight, based on the polymer in the dispersion, of at least one anionic surface-active compound AO having at least one C.sub.6 -C.sub.32 alkyl group; the polymer powders obtainable by the process; and their use in binding mineral building materials.