diff --git a/docx/oxml/shape.py b/docx/oxml/shape.py
index 77ca7db8a..b93c7507e 100644
--- a/docx/oxml/shape.py
+++ b/docx/oxml/shape.py
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ def _inline_xml(cls):
         return (
             '<wp:inline %s>\n'
             '  <wp:extent cx="914400" cy="914400"/>\n'
-            '  <wp:docPr id="666" name="unnamed"/>\n'
+            '  <wp:docPr id="666" name="unnamed" descr=""/>\n'
             '  <wp:cNvGraphicFramePr>\n'
             '    <a:graphicFrameLocks noChangeAspect="1"/>\n'
             '  </wp:cNvGraphicFramePr>\n'
diff --git a/docx/shape.py b/docx/shape.py
index e4f885d73..82ca2a1db 100644
--- a/docx/shape.py
+++ b/docx/shape.py
@@ -101,3 +101,14 @@ def width(self):
     def width(self, cx):
         self._inline.extent.cx = cx
         self._inline.graphic.graphicData.pic.spPr.cx = cx
+
+    @property
+    def alt_text(self):
+        """
+        Read/write. The alt-text associated with this shape.
+        """
+        return self._inline.docPr.attrib["descr"]
+
+    @alt_text.setter
+    def alt_text(self, text):
+        self._inline.docPr.attrib["descr"] = text
diff --git a/tests/test_files/snippets/inline.txt b/tests/test_files/snippets/inline.txt
index 3b0d58148..8553d3be5 100644
--- a/tests/test_files/snippets/inline.txt
+++ b/tests/test_files/snippets/inline.txt
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 <wp:inline xmlns:wp="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/drawingml/2006/wordprocessingDrawing" xmlns:a="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/drawingml/2006/main" xmlns:pic="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/drawingml/2006/picture" xmlns:r="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/officeDocument/2006/relationships">
   <wp:extent cx="444" cy="888"/>
-  <wp:docPr id="24" name="Picture 24"/>
+  <wp:docPr id="24" name="Picture 24" descr=""/>
   <wp:cNvGraphicFramePr>
     <a:graphicFrameLocks noChangeAspect="1"/>
   </wp:cNvGraphicFramePr>
diff --git a/tests/test_shape.py b/tests/test_shape.py
index 105d2fa40..796f3a0d8 100644
--- a/tests/test_shape.py
+++ b/tests/test_shape.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 from docx.enum.shape import WD_INLINE_SHAPE
 from docx.oxml.ns import nsmap
 from docx.shape import InlineShape, InlineShapes
+from docx.oxml.shape import CT_Inline
 from docx.shared import Length
 
 from .oxml.unitdata.dml import (
@@ -99,6 +100,17 @@ def it_can_change_its_display_dimensions(self, dimensions_set_fixture):
         inline_shape.height = cy
         assert inline_shape._inline.xml == expected_xml
 
+    def it_has_blank_alt_text(self, alt_text_blank_get_fixture):
+        inline_shape, expected_alt_text = alt_text_blank_get_fixture
+        alt_text = inline_shape.alt_text
+        assert alt_text == expected_alt_text
+
+    def it_can_change_its_alt_text(self, alt_text_set_fixture):
+        inline_shape, expected_alt_text = alt_text_set_fixture
+        inline_shape.alt_text = "new alt text"
+        alt_text = inline_shape._inline.docPr.attrib["descr"]
+        assert alt_text == expected_alt_text
+        
     # fixtures -------------------------------------------------------
 
     @pytest.fixture
@@ -122,6 +134,22 @@ def dimensions_set_fixture(self):
         expected_xml = xml(expected_cxml)
         return inline_shape, new_cx, new_cy, expected_xml
 
+    @pytest.fixture
+    def alt_text_blank_get_fixture(self):
+        expected_alt_text = ""
+        image = "tests/test_files/monty-truth.png"
+        inline_shape = CT_Inline.new_pic_inline(0, "", image, 333, 666)
+        inline_shape = InlineShape(inline_shape)
+        return inline_shape, expected_alt_text
+
+    @pytest.fixture
+    def alt_text_set_fixture(self):
+        expected_alt_text = "new alt text"
+        image = "tests/test_files/monty-truth.png"
+        inline_shape = CT_Inline.new_pic_inline(0, "", image, 333, 666)
+        inline_shape = InlineShape(inline_shape)
+        return inline_shape, expected_alt_text
+
     @pytest.fixture(params=[
         'embed pic', 'link pic', 'link+embed pic', 'chart', 'smart art',
         'not implemented'