diff --git a/src/modules/alsa/alsa-mixer.c b/src/modules/alsa/alsa-mixer.c
index 21655d708..d41b5840b 100644
--- a/src/modules/alsa/alsa-mixer.c
+++ b/src/modules/alsa/alsa-mixer.c
@@ -53,15 +53,18 @@
 static int setting_select(pa_alsa_setting *s, snd_mixer_t *m);
 
 struct description_map {
-    const char *name;
+    const char *key;
     const char *description;
 };
 
-static const char *lookup_description(const char *name, const struct description_map dm[], unsigned n) {
+static const char *lookup_description(const char *key, const struct description_map dm[], unsigned n) {
     unsigned i;
 
+    if (!key)
+        return NULL;
+
     for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
-        if (pa_streq(dm[i].name, name))
+        if (pa_streq(dm[i].key, key))
             return _(dm[i].description);
 
     return NULL;
@@ -2361,12 +2364,16 @@ static int path_verify(pa_alsa_path *p) {
             return -1;
 
     if (!p->description)
-        p->description = pa_xstrdup(lookup_description(p->name,
+        p->description = pa_xstrdup(lookup_description(p->description_key ? p->description_key : p->name,
                                                        well_known_descriptions,
                                                        PA_ELEMENTSOF(well_known_descriptions)));
 
-    if (!p->description)
+    if (!p->description) {
+        if (p->description_key)
+            pa_log_warn("Path %s: Unrecognized description key: %s", p->name, p->description_key);
+
         p->description = pa_xstrdup(p->name);
+    }
 
     return 0;
 }
@@ -2388,6 +2395,7 @@ pa_alsa_path* pa_alsa_path_new(const char *paths_dir, const char *fname, pa_alsa
     pa_config_item items[] = {
         /* [General] */
         { "priority",            pa_config_parse_unsigned,          NULL, "General" },
+        { "description-key",     pa_config_parse_string,            NULL, "General" },
         { "description",         pa_config_parse_string,            NULL, "General" },
         { "name",                pa_config_parse_string,            NULL, "General" },
         { "mute-during-activation", pa_config_parse_bool,           NULL, "General" },
@@ -2427,10 +2435,11 @@ pa_alsa_path* pa_alsa_path_new(const char *paths_dir, const char *fname, pa_alsa
     p->eld_device = -1;
 
     items[0].data = &p->priority;
-    items[1].data = &p->description;
-    items[2].data = &p->name;
-    items[3].data = &mute_during_activation;
-    items[4].data = &p->eld_device;
+    items[1].data = &p->description_key;
+    items[2].data = &p->description;
+    items[3].data = &p->name;
+    items[4].data = &mute_during_activation;
+    items[5].data = &p->eld_device;
 
     if (!paths_dir)
         paths_dir = get_default_paths_dir();
diff --git a/src/modules/alsa/alsa-mixer.h b/src/modules/alsa/alsa-mixer.h
index b3f7455e7..3d50ebb61 100644
--- a/src/modules/alsa/alsa-mixer.h
+++ b/src/modules/alsa/alsa-mixer.h
@@ -180,6 +180,7 @@ struct pa_alsa_path {
     pa_device_port* port;
 
     char *name;
+    char *description_key;
     char *description;
     unsigned priority;
     int eld_device;
diff --git a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-aux.conf b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-aux.conf
index e6aa064ff..a5a4baaab 100644
--- a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-aux.conf
+++ b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-aux.conf
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 [General]
 priority = 80
-name = analog-input
+description-key = analog-input
 
 [Element Capture]
 switch = mute
diff --git a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-dock-mic.conf b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-dock-mic.conf
index f6ea94b9f..9334d451b 100644
--- a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-dock-mic.conf
+++ b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-dock-mic.conf
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 [General]
 priority = 78
-name = analog-input-microphone-dock
+description-key = analog-input-microphone-dock
 
 [Jack Dock Mic]
 required-any = any
diff --git a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-fm.conf b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-fm.conf
index 7f150e369..dfadb003d 100644
--- a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-fm.conf
+++ b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-fm.conf
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 [General]
 priority = 70
-name = analog-input-radio
+description-key = analog-input-radio
 
 [Element Capture]
 switch = mute
diff --git a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-front-mic.conf b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-front-mic.conf
index bb2e80689..3fb5f5e85 100644
--- a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-front-mic.conf
+++ b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-front-mic.conf
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 [General]
 priority = 85
-name = analog-input-microphone-front
+description-key = analog-input-microphone-front
 
 [Jack Front Mic]
 required-any = any
diff --git a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-headphone-mic.conf b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-headphone-mic.conf
index 9b9213af5..688b8ac97 100644
--- a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-headphone-mic.conf
+++ b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-headphone-mic.conf
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 
 [General]
 priority = 87
-name = analog-input-microphone
+description-key = analog-input-microphone
 
 [Jack Headphone Mic]
 required-any = any
diff --git a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-headset-mic.conf b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-headset-mic.conf
index 9a9dc357f..0a3d661f5 100644
--- a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-headset-mic.conf
+++ b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-headset-mic.conf
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 [General]
 priority = 87
-name = analog-input-microphone-headset
+description-key = analog-input-microphone-headset
 
 [Jack Headset Mic]
 required-any = any
diff --git a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-internal-mic-always.conf b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-internal-mic-always.conf
index 37f9b17ca..cd08531b7 100644
--- a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-internal-mic-always.conf
+++ b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-internal-mic-always.conf
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 
 [General]
 priority = 89
-name = analog-input-microphone-internal
+description-key = analog-input-microphone-internal
 
 [Jack Mic]
 state.plugged = no
diff --git a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-internal-mic.conf b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-internal-mic.conf
index 4718dd06c..ae3e9a832 100644
--- a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-internal-mic.conf
+++ b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-internal-mic.conf
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 
 [General]
 priority = 89
-name = analog-input-microphone-internal
+description-key = analog-input-microphone-internal
 
 [Jack Mic]
 state.plugged = no
diff --git a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-mic-line.conf b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-mic-line.conf
index fb808381d..13db33b7a 100644
--- a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-mic-line.conf
+++ b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-mic-line.conf
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 [General]
 priority = 85
-name = analog-input
+description-key = analog-input
 
 [Element Capture]
 switch = mute
diff --git a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-mic.conf b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-mic.conf
index 9e5f04446..17f3988f4 100644
--- a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-mic.conf
+++ b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-mic.conf
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 [General]
 priority = 87
-name = analog-input-microphone
+description-key = analog-input-microphone
 
 [Jack Mic]
 required-any = any
diff --git a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-rear-mic.conf b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-rear-mic.conf
index 397efba92..ac78b5b98 100644
--- a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-rear-mic.conf
+++ b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-rear-mic.conf
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 [General]
 priority = 82
-name = analog-input-microphone-rear
+description-key = analog-input-microphone-rear
 
 [Jack Rear Mic]
 required-any = any
diff --git a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-tvtuner.conf b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-tvtuner.conf
index fae3ce835..446446a48 100644
--- a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-tvtuner.conf
+++ b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-input-tvtuner.conf
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 [General]
 priority = 70
-name = analog-input-video
+description-key = analog-input-video
 
 [Element Capture]
 switch = mute
diff --git a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-output-desktop-speaker.conf b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-output-desktop-speaker.conf
index 099823ee3..2b68117a2 100644
--- a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-output-desktop-speaker.conf
+++ b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-output-desktop-speaker.conf
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 [General]
 priority = 101
-name = analog-output-speaker
+description-key = analog-output-speaker
 
 [Properties]
 device.icon_name = audio-speakers
diff --git a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-output-headphones-2.conf b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-output-headphones-2.conf
index 6161ff5a1..75689243c 100644
--- a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-output-headphones-2.conf
+++ b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-output-headphones-2.conf
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 [General]
 priority = 89
-name = analog-output-headphones
+description-key = analog-output-headphones
 
 [Properties]
 device.icon_name = audio-headphones
diff --git a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-output-headphones.conf b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-output-headphones.conf
index 76cd01e15..e68203373 100644
--- a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-output-headphones.conf
+++ b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-output-headphones.conf
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 [General]
 priority = 90
-name = analog-output-headphones
+description-key = analog-output-headphones
 
 [Properties]
 device.icon_name = audio-headphones
diff --git a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-output-speaker-always.conf b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-output-speaker-always.conf
index 8a2b3dfa2..c511813c8 100644
--- a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-output-speaker-always.conf
+++ b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-output-speaker-always.conf
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 
 [General]
 priority = 100
-name = analog-output-speaker
+description-key = analog-output-speaker
 
 [Properties]
 device.icon_name = audio-speakers
diff --git a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-output-speaker.conf b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-output-speaker.conf
index 7b47fc242..8416a2589 100644
--- a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-output-speaker.conf
+++ b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-output-speaker.conf
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 [General]
 priority = 100
-name = analog-output-speaker
+description-key = analog-output-speaker
 
 [Properties]
 device.icon_name = audio-speakers
diff --git a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-output.conf.common b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-output.conf.common
index 73d09f81d..727b776ee 100644
--- a/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-output.conf.common
+++ b/src/modules/alsa/mixer/paths/analog-output.conf.common
@@ -55,7 +55,13 @@
 
 ; [General]
 ; priority = ...                         # Priority for this path
-; description = ...
+; description-key = ...                  # The path description is looked up from a table in path_verify() in
+;                                        # src/modules/alsa/alsa-mixer.c. By default the path name (i.e. the file name
+;                                        # minus the ".conf" suffix) is used as the lookup key, but if this option is
+;                                        # set, then the given string is used as the key instead. In any case the
+;                                        # "description" option can be used to override the path description.
+; description = ...                      # Description for this path. Overrides the normal description lookup logic, as
+;                                        # described in the "description-key" documentation above.
 ; mute-during-activation = yes | no      # If this path supports hardware mute, should the hw mute be used while activating this
 ;                                        # path? In some cases this can reduce extra noises during port switching, while in other
 ;                                        # cases this can increase such noises. Default: no.