diff --git a/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-terms-list-table.php b/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-terms-list-table.php
index 7d59624a20..6a93663841 100644
--- a/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-terms-list-table.php
+++ b/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>';
+		}
 	}
 
 	/**
diff --git a/wp-includes/version.php b/wp-includes/version.php
index 0d749898a4..eccc428209 100644
--- a/wp-includes/version.php
+++ b/wp-includes/version.php
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
  *
  * @global string $wp_version
  */
-$wp_version = '4.9-alpha-40956';
+$wp_version = '4.9-alpha-40957';
 
 /**
  * Holds the WordPress DB revision, increments when changes are made to the WordPress DB schema.