diff --git a/samples/explore_workbook.py b/samples/explore_workbook.py
index f51639ab3..d537f21d6 100644
--- a/samples/explore_workbook.py
+++ b/samples/explore_workbook.py
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ def main():
             # Pick one workbook from the list
             sample_workbook = all_workbooks[0]
             sample_workbook.name = "Name me something cooler"
-            sample_workbook.description = "That doesn't work"
+            sample_workbook.description = "Updated description"
             updated: TSC.WorkbookItem = server.workbooks.update(sample_workbook)
             print(updated.name, updated.description)
 
diff --git a/test/test_workbook.py b/test/test_workbook.py
index c5c4f6662..a3ec7e914 100644
--- a/test/test_workbook.py
+++ b/test/test_workbook.py
@@ -245,6 +245,40 @@ def test_update(server: TSC.Server) -> None:
     assert not single_workbook.data_acceleration_config["accelerate_now"]
 
 
+def test_update_description_in_request_xml(server: TSC.Server) -> None:
+    """description should be included in the update request XML when server >= 3.21."""
+    server.version = "3.21"
+    response_xml = UPDATE_XML.read_text()
+    with requests_mock.mock() as m:
+        m.put(server.workbooks.baseurl + "/1f951daf-4061-451a-9df1-69a8062664f2", text=response_xml)
+        single_workbook = TSC.WorkbookItem("1d0304cd-3796-429f-b815-7258370b9b74", show_tabs=True)
+        single_workbook._id = "1f951daf-4061-451a-9df1-69a8062664f2"
+        single_workbook.description = "A great workbook"
+        server.workbooks.update(single_workbook)
+        request_body = m.request_history[0].body
+    xml_root = fromstring(request_body)
+    workbook_el = xml_root.find(".//workbook")
+    assert workbook_el is not None
+    assert workbook_el.get("description") == "A great workbook"
+
+
+def test_update_description_excluded_below_v3_21(server: TSC.Server) -> None:
+    """description should be excluded from the update request XML when server < 3.21."""
+    server.version = "3.20"
+    response_xml = UPDATE_XML.read_text()
+    with requests_mock.mock() as m:
+        m.put(server.workbooks.baseurl + "/1f951daf-4061-451a-9df1-69a8062664f2", text=response_xml)
+        single_workbook = TSC.WorkbookItem("1d0304cd-3796-429f-b815-7258370b9b74", show_tabs=True)
+        single_workbook._id = "1f951daf-4061-451a-9df1-69a8062664f2"
+        single_workbook.description = "A great workbook"
+        server.workbooks.update(single_workbook)
+        request_body = m.request_history[0].body
+    xml_root = fromstring(request_body)
+    workbook_el = xml_root.find(".//workbook")
+    assert workbook_el is not None
+    assert workbook_el.get("description") is None
+
+
 def test_update_missing_id(server: TSC.Server) -> None:
     single_workbook = TSC.WorkbookItem("test")
     with pytest.raises(TSC.MissingRequiredFieldError):
@@ -592,6 +626,21 @@ def test_publish(server: TSC.Server) -> None:
     assert "REST API Testing" == new_workbook.description
 
 
+def test_publish_description_in_request_xml(server: TSC.Server) -> None:
+    """description should be included in the publish request XML."""
+    response_xml = PUBLISH_XML.read_text()
+    with requests_mock.mock() as m:
+        m.post(server.workbooks.baseurl, text=response_xml)
+        new_workbook = TSC.WorkbookItem(
+            name="Sample", show_tabs=False, project_id="ee8c6e70-43b6-11e6-af4f-f7b0d8e20760"
+        )
+        new_workbook.description = "A great workbook"
+        sample_workbook = os.path.join(TEST_ASSET_DIR, "SampleWB.twbx")
+        server.workbooks.publish(new_workbook, sample_workbook, server.PublishMode.CreateNew)
+        request_body = m._adapter.request_history[0]._request.body
+    assert re.search(b'description=\\"A great workbook\\"', request_body)
+
+
 def test_publish_a_packaged_file_object(server: TSC.Server) -> None:
     response_xml = PUBLISH_XML.read_text()
     with requests_mock.mock() as m: