diff --git a/lib/javascript-static.js b/lib/javascript-static.js
index c581376d533..e7147195900 100644
--- a/lib/javascript-static.js
+++ b/lib/javascript-static.js
@@ -826,6 +826,7 @@ M.util.add_spinner = function(Y, node) {
 
     var spinner = Y.Node.create('<img />')
         .setAttribute('src', M.util.image_url(WAITICON.pix, WAITICON.component))
+        .setAttribute('alt', M.util.get_string('loading', 'core'))
         .addClass('spinner icon')
         .hide();