diff -u b/core/misc/message.js b/core/misc/message.js
--- b/core/misc/message.js
+++ b/core/misc/message.js
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@
     // If screen reader message is not disabled announce screen reader specific
     // text or fallback to the displayed message.
     if (options.announce !== '') {
-      Drupal.announce(message, options.priority);
+      Drupal.announce(options.announce || message, options.priority);
     }
   }