diff --git a/lib/outputrenderers.php b/lib/outputrenderers.php
index 5852068f61b..47a42e8230c 100644
--- a/lib/outputrenderers.php
+++ b/lib/outputrenderers.php
@@ -2790,10 +2790,16 @@ class core_renderer extends renderer_base {
         // Get the image html output first, auto generated based on initials if one isn't already set.
         if ($user->picture == 0 && empty($CFG->enablegravatar) && !defined('BEHAT_SITE_RUNNING')) {
             $initials = \core_user::get_initials($user);
+            $fullname = fullname($userpicture->user, $canviewfullnames);
             // Don't modify in corner cases where neither the firstname nor the lastname appears.
             $output = html_writer::tag(
                 'span', $initials,
-                ['class' => 'userinitials size-' . $size]
+                [
+                    'class' => 'userinitials size-' . $size,
+                    'title' => $fullname,
+                    'aria-label' => $fullname,
+                    'role' => 'img',
+                ]
             );
         } else {
             $output = html_writer::empty_tag('img', $attributes);
diff --git a/lib/tests/user_test.php b/lib/tests/user_test.php
index 60851556cd3..0a82f09f186 100644
--- a/lib/tests/user_test.php
+++ b/lib/tests/user_test.php
@@ -917,7 +917,8 @@ class user_test extends \advanced_testcase {
         // Display profile picture.
         $context = \context_system::instance();
         // No image, show initials.
-        $this->assertStringContainsString("<span class=\"userinitials size-35\">JD</span></a>",
+        $this->assertStringContainsString(
+            "<span class=\"userinitials size-35\" title=\"John Doe\" aria-label=\"John Doe\" role=\"img\">JD</span></a>",
             $OUTPUT->render(\core_user::get_profile_picture($user1, $context)));
         // With Image.
         $expectedimagesrc = $CFG->wwwroot . '/pluginfile.php/' . \context_user::instance($user2->id)->id .
@@ -927,12 +928,14 @@ class user_test extends \advanced_testcase {
 
         // Display profile picture with options.
         $options = ['size' => 50, 'includefullname' => true];
-        $this->assertStringContainsString("<span class=\"userinitials size-50\">JD</span>John Doe</a>",
+        $this->assertStringContainsString(
+            "<span class=\"userinitials size-50\" title=\"John Doe\" aria-label=\"John Doe\" role=\"img\">JD</span>John Doe</a>",
             $OUTPUT->render(\core_user::get_profile_picture($user1, $context, $options)));
 
         // Display profile picture with options, no link.
         $options = ['link' => false];
-        $this->assertEquals("<span class=\"userinitials size-35\">JD</span>",
+        $this->assertEquals(
+            "<span class=\"userinitials size-35\" title=\"John Doe\" aria-label=\"John Doe\" role=\"img\">JD</span>",
             $OUTPUT->render(\core_user::get_profile_picture($user1, $context, $options)));
     }