diff --git a/src/gnome/assistant-hierarchy.c b/src/gnome/assistant-hierarchy.c
index 572b136c1a..1f716aedfd 100644
--- a/src/gnome/assistant-hierarchy.c
+++ b/src/gnome/assistant-hierarchy.c
@@ -500,7 +500,9 @@ categories_tree_selection_changed (GtkTreeSelection *selection,
         g_free(text2);
         g_free(text);
         buffer = gtk_text_view_get_buffer(data->category_description);
-        gtk_text_buffer_set_text(buffer, gea->long_description, -1);
+        gtk_text_buffer_set_text(buffer, gea->long_description ?
+                                         gea->long_description :
+                                         _("No description provided."), -1);
 
         tree_view = gnc_tree_view_account_new_with_root (gea->root, FALSE);
         /* Override the normal fixed (user settable) sizing */