diff --git a/src/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-terms-list-table.php b/src/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-terms-list-table.php
index 7d59624a20..6a93663841 100644
--- a/src/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-terms-list-table.php
+++ b/src/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-terms-list-table.php
@@ -501,7 +501,11 @@ class WP_Terms_List_Table extends WP_List_Table {
 	 * @return string
 	 */
 	public function column_description( $tag ) {
-		return $tag->description;
+		if ( $tag->description ) {
+			return $tag->description;
+		} else {
+			return '<span aria-hidden="true">&#8212;</span><span class="screen-reader-text">' . __( 'No description' ) . '</span>';
+		}
 	}
 
 	/**