diff --git a/src/components/views/rooms/RoomTile.js b/src/components/views/rooms/RoomTile.js
index 1398e03b10..dc893f0049 100644
--- a/src/components/views/rooms/RoomTile.js
+++ b/src/components/views/rooms/RoomTile.js
@@ -389,6 +389,8 @@ module.exports = createReactClass({
             ariaLabel += " " + _t("%(count)s unread messages.", { count: notificationCount });
         } else if (mentionBadges && !isInvite) {
             ariaLabel += " " + _t("Unread mentions.");
+        } else if (this.props.unread) {
+            ariaLabel += " " + _t("Unread messages.");
         }
 
         return <AccessibleButton tabIndex="0"
diff --git a/src/i18n/strings/en_EN.json b/src/i18n/strings/en_EN.json
index a5355bd0e3..442d08887e 100644
--- a/src/i18n/strings/en_EN.json
+++ b/src/i18n/strings/en_EN.json
@@ -960,8 +960,11 @@
     "Not now": "Not now",
     "Don't ask me again": "Don't ask me again",
     "%(count)s unread messages including mentions.|other": "%(count)s unread messages including mentions.",
+    "%(count)s unread messages including mentions.|one": "1 unread mention.",
     "%(count)s unread messages.|other": "%(count)s unread messages.",
+    "%(count)s unread messages.|one": "1 unread message.",
     "Unread mentions.": "Unread mentions.",
+    "Unread messages.": "Unread messages.",
     "Add a topic": "Add a topic",
     "Upgrading this room will shut down the current instance of the room and create an upgraded room with the same name.": "Upgrading this room will shut down the current instance of the room and create an upgraded room with the same name.",
     "This room has already been upgraded.": "This room has already been upgraded.",