diff --git a/neutron/tests/tempest/services/network/json/network_client.py b/neutron/tests/tempest/services/network/json/network_client.py
index 3cadcbb..545c2e9 100644
--- a/neutron/tests/tempest/services/network/json/network_client.py
+++ b/neutron/tests/tempest/services/network/json/network_client.py
@@ -439,6 +439,8 @@
         update_body['name'] = kwargs.get('name', body['router']['name'])
         update_body['admin_state_up'] = kwargs.get(
             'admin_state_up', body['router']['admin_state_up'])
+        if 'description' in kwargs:
+            update_body['description'] = kwargs['description']
         cur_gw_info = body['router']['external_gateway_info']
         if cur_gw_info:
             # TODO(kevinbenton): setting the external gateway info is not