diff --git a/core/modules/link/src/Plugin/Field/FieldWidget/LinkWidget.php b/core/modules/link/src/Plugin/Field/FieldWidget/LinkWidget.php
index 937491f..da1e6b8 100644
--- a/core/modules/link/src/Plugin/Field/FieldWidget/LinkWidget.php
+++ b/core/modules/link/src/Plugin/Field/FieldWidget/LinkWidget.php
@@ -150,10 +150,9 @@ public static function validateUriElement($element, FormStateInterface $form_sta
    */
   public static function validateTitleElement(&$element, FormStateInterface $form_state, $form) {
     if ($element['uri']['#value'] !== '' && $element['title']['#value'] === '') {
-      $element['title']['#required'] = TRUE;
       // We expect the field name placeholder value to be wrapped in t() here,
       // so it won't be escaped again as it's already marked safe.
-      $form_state->setError($element['title'], t('@name field is required.', ['@name' => $element['title']['#title']]));
+      $form_state->setError($element['title'], t('@name field is required if you enter a URL.', ['@name' => $element['title']['#title']]));
     }
   }
 
@@ -222,6 +221,7 @@ public function formElement(FieldItemListInterface $items, $delta, array $elemen
     // non-empty. Omit the validation on the field edit form, since the field
     // settings cannot be saved otherwise.
     if (!$this->isDefaultValueWidget($form_state) && $this->getFieldSetting('title') == DRUPAL_REQUIRED) {
+      $element['title']['#description'] = $this->t('The link text will be required if you enter a URL.');
       $element['#element_validate'][] = [get_called_class(), 'validateTitleElement'];
     }
 
diff --git a/core/modules/link/tests/src/Functional/LinkFieldTest.php b/core/modules/link/tests/src/Functional/LinkFieldTest.php
index 104a386..8717b9d 100644
--- a/core/modules/link/tests/src/Functional/LinkFieldTest.php
+++ b/core/modules/link/tests/src/Functional/LinkFieldTest.php
@@ -285,14 +285,14 @@ public function testLinkTitle() {
             "{$field_name}[0][uri]" => 'http://www.example.com',
           ];
           $this->drupalPostForm(NULL, $edit, t('Save'));
-          $this->assertText(t('@name field is required.', ['@name' => t('Link text')]));
+          $this->assertText(t('@name field is required if you enter a URL.', ['@name' => t('Link text')]));
 
           // Verify that the link text is not required, if the URL is empty.
           $edit = [
             "{$field_name}[0][uri]" => '',
           ];
           $this->drupalPostForm(NULL, $edit, t('Save'));
-          $this->assertNoText(t('@name field is required.', ['@name' => t('Link text')]));
+          $this->assertNoText(t('@name field is required if you enter a URL.', ['@name' => t('Link text')]));
 
           // Verify that a URL and link text meets requirements.
           $this->drupalGet('entity_test/add');
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ public function testLinkTitle() {
             "{$field_name}[0][title]" => 'Example',
           ];
           $this->drupalPostForm(NULL, $edit, t('Save'));
-          $this->assertNoText(t('@name field is required.', ['@name' => t('Link text')]));
+          $this->assertNoText(t('@name field is required if you enter a URL.', ['@name' => t('Link text')]));
         }
       }
     }