diff --git a/rest_framework/schemas.py b/rest_framework/schemas.py
index c3a811bfb..6b6324033 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
@@ -295,7 +296,13 @@ class SchemaGenerator(object):
             if field.read_only:
                 continue
             required = field.required and method != 'PATCH'
-            field = coreapi.Field(name=field.source, location='form', required=required)
+            description = force_text(field.help_text) if field.help_text else ''
+            field = coreapi.Field(
+                name=field.source,
+                location='form',
+                required=required,
+                description=description
+            )
             fields.append(field)
 
         return fields
diff --git a/tests/test_schemas.py b/tests/test_schemas.py
index 5e588483d..81b796c35 100644
--- a/tests/test_schemas.py
+++ b/tests/test_schemas.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ class ExamplePagination(pagination.PageNumberPagination):
 
 
 class ExampleSerializer(serializers.Serializer):
-    a = serializers.CharField(required=True)
+    a = serializers.CharField(required=True, help_text='A field description')
     b = serializers.CharField(required=False)
 
 
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ class TestRouterGeneratedSchema(TestCase):
                         action='post',
                         encoding='application/json',
                         fields=[
-                            coreapi.Field('a', required=True, location='form'),
+                            coreapi.Field('a', required=True, location='form', description='A field description'),
                             coreapi.Field('b', required=False, location='form')
                         ]
                     ),
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ class TestRouterGeneratedSchema(TestCase):
                         encoding='application/json',
                         fields=[
                             coreapi.Field('pk', required=True, location='path'),
-                            coreapi.Field('a', required=True, location='form'),
+                            coreapi.Field('a', required=True, location='form', description='A field description'),
                             coreapi.Field('b', required=False, location='form')
                         ]
                     ),
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ class TestRouterGeneratedSchema(TestCase):
                         encoding='application/json',
                         fields=[
                             coreapi.Field('pk', required=True, location='path'),
-                            coreapi.Field('a', required=False, location='form'),
+                            coreapi.Field('a', required=False, location='form', description='A field description'),
                             coreapi.Field('b', required=False, location='form')
                         ]
                     ),