diff --git a/src/lib/badge/badge.spec.ts b/src/lib/badge/badge.spec.ts
index 2152085d489a..8933239d52c1 100644
--- a/src/lib/badge/badge.spec.ts
+++ b/src/lib/badge/badge.spec.ts
@@ -165,6 +165,25 @@ describe('MatBadge', () => {
     expect(element.classList).toContain('mat-badge-disabled');
   });
 
+  it('should update the aria-label if the description changes', () => {
+    const badgeContent = badgeNativeElement.querySelector('.mat-badge-content')!;
+
+    fixture.componentInstance.badgeDescription = 'initial content';
+    fixture.detectChanges();
+
+    expect(badgeContent.getAttribute('aria-label')).toBe('initial content');
+
+    fixture.componentInstance.badgeDescription = 'changed content';
+    fixture.detectChanges();
+
+    expect(badgeContent.getAttribute('aria-label')).toBe('changed content');
+
+    fixture.componentInstance.badgeDescription = '';
+    fixture.detectChanges();
+
+    expect(badgeContent.hasAttribute('aria-label')).toBe(false);
+  });
+
 });
 
 /** Test component that contains a MatBadge. */
diff --git a/src/lib/badge/badge.ts b/src/lib/badge/badge.ts
index 9d4e2e1d4f92..e079402e41ef 100644
--- a/src/lib/badge/badge.ts
+++ b/src/lib/badge/badge.ts
@@ -94,8 +94,14 @@ export class MatBadge extends _MatBadgeMixinBase implements OnDestroy, CanDisabl
   get description(): string { return this._description; }
   set description(newDescription: string) {
     if (newDescription !== this._description) {
+      const badgeElement = this._badgeElement;
       this._updateHostAriaDescription(newDescription, this._description);
       this._description = newDescription;
+
+      if (badgeElement) {
+        newDescription ? badgeElement.setAttribute('aria-label', newDescription) :
+            badgeElement.removeAttribute('aria-label');
+      }
     }
   }
   private _description: string;