diff --git a/rest_framework/schemas.py b/rest_framework/schemas.py
index 41dc82da1..2fb9c7eb5 100644
--- a/rest_framework/schemas.py
+++ b/rest_framework/schemas.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ from django.conf import settings
 from django.contrib.admindocs.views import simplify_regex
 from django.core.urlresolvers import RegexURLPattern, RegexURLResolver
 from django.utils import six
+from django.utils.encoding import force_text
 
 from rest_framework import exceptions, serializers
 from rest_framework.compat import coreapi, uritemplate, urlparse
@@ -258,8 +259,6 @@ class SchemaGenerator(object):
         if not hasattr(view, 'get_serializer_class'):
             return []
 
-        fields = []
-
         serializer_class = view.get_serializer_class()
         serializer = serializer_class()
 
@@ -269,11 +268,17 @@ class SchemaGenerator(object):
         if not isinstance(serializer, serializers.Serializer):
             return []
 
+        fields = []
         for field in serializer.fields.values():
             if field.read_only:
                 continue
             required = field.required and method != 'PATCH'
-            field = coreapi.Field(name=field.source, location='form', required=required)
+            field = coreapi.Field(
+                name=field.source,
+                location='form',
+                required=required,
+                description=force_text(field.help_text),
+            )
             fields.append(field)
 
         return fields
diff --git a/tests/test_schemas.py b/tests/test_schemas.py
index a32b8a117..a2c723a8b 100644
--- a/tests/test_schemas.py
+++ b/tests/test_schemas.py
@@ -23,8 +23,8 @@ class ExamplePagination(pagination.PageNumberPagination):
 
 
 class ExampleSerializer(serializers.Serializer):
-    a = serializers.CharField(required=True)
-    b = serializers.CharField(required=False)
+    a = serializers.CharField(required=True, help_text='About a')
+    b = serializers.CharField(required=False, help_text='About b')
 
 
 class ExampleViewSet(ModelViewSet):
@@ -109,8 +109,8 @@ class TestRouterGeneratedSchema(TestCase):
                         action='post',
                         encoding='application/json',
                         fields=[
-                            coreapi.Field('a', required=True, location='form'),
-                            coreapi.Field('b', required=False, location='form')
+                            coreapi.Field('a', required=True, location='form', description='About a'),
+                            coreapi.Field('b', required=False, location='form', description='About b')
                         ]
                     ),
                     'retrieve': coreapi.Link(
@@ -126,8 +126,8 @@ class TestRouterGeneratedSchema(TestCase):
                         encoding='application/json',
                         fields=[
                             coreapi.Field('pk', required=True, location='path'),
-                            coreapi.Field('a', required=True, location='form'),
-                            coreapi.Field('b', required=False, location='form')
+                            coreapi.Field('a', required=True, location='form', description='About a'),
+                            coreapi.Field('b', required=False, location='form', description='About b')
                         ]
                     ),
                     'partial_update': coreapi.Link(
@@ -136,8 +136,8 @@ class TestRouterGeneratedSchema(TestCase):
                         encoding='application/json',
                         fields=[
                             coreapi.Field('pk', required=True, location='path'),
-                            coreapi.Field('a', required=False, location='form'),
-                            coreapi.Field('b', required=False, location='form')
+                            coreapi.Field('a', required=False, location='form', description='About a'),
+                            coreapi.Field('b', required=False, location='form', description='About b')
                         ]
                     ),
                     'destroy': coreapi.Link(