diff --git a/src/wp-includes/functions.php b/src/wp-includes/functions.php
index 1e273b2b5d..7abf43ac48 100644
--- a/src/wp-includes/functions.php
+++ b/src/wp-includes/functions.php
@@ -981,16 +981,21 @@ function get_status_header_desc( $code ) {
  * Set HTTP status header.
  *
  * @since 2.0.0
+ * @since 4.4.0 Added the `$description` parameter.
  *
  * @see get_status_header_desc()
  *
- * @param int $code HTTP status code.
+ * @param int    $code        HTTP status code.
+ * @param string $description Optional. A custom description for the HTTP status.
  */
-function status_header( $code ) {
-	$description = get_status_header_desc( $code );
+function status_header( $code, $description = '' ) {
+	if ( ! $description ) {
+		$description = get_status_header_desc( $code );
+	}
 
-	if ( empty( $description ) )
+	if ( empty( $description ) ) {
 		return;
+	}
 
 	$protocol = wp_get_server_protocol();
 	$status_header = "$protocol $code $description";