diff --git a/app/models/category_list.rb b/app/models/category_list.rb
index 712adab190c..94dd860a093 100644
--- a/app/models/category_list.rb
+++ b/app/models/category_list.rb
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ class CategoryList
     def prune_empty
       unless @guardian.can_create?(Category)
         # Remove categories with no featured topics unless we have the ability to edit one
-        @categories.delete_if { |c| c.displayable_topics.blank? }
+        @categories.delete_if { |c| c.displayable_topics.blank? && c.description.nil? }
       end
     end
 
diff --git a/spec/components/category_list_spec.rb b/spec/components/category_list_spec.rb
index e561df9f25d..ef27f65e17d 100644
--- a/spec/components/category_list_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/components/category_list_spec.rb
@@ -61,11 +61,17 @@ describe CategoryList do
         category_list.categories.should be_blank
       end
 
-      it "returns empty the empty for those who can create them" do
+      it "returns empty categories for those who can create them" do
         Guardian.any_instance.expects(:can_create?).with(Category).returns(true)
         category_list.categories.should_not be_blank
       end
 
+      it "returns empty categories with descriptions" do
+        Fabricate(:category, description: 'The category description.')
+        Guardian.any_instance.expects(:can_create?).with(Category).returns(false)
+        category_list.categories.should_not be_blank
+      end
+
       it 'returns the empty category and a non-empty category for those who can create them' do
         category_with_topics = Fabricate(:topic, category: Fabricate(:category))
         Guardian.any_instance.expects(:can_create?).with(Category).returns(true)