diff --git a/token.module b/token.module
index b683c70..9103a9c 100644
--- a/token.module
+++ b/token.module
@@ -274,7 +274,14 @@ function token_form_block_admin_configure_alter(&$form, $form_state) {
  */
 function token_field_widget_form_alter(&$element, &$form_state, $context) {
   if (!empty($element['#description']) && !empty($context['instance']['description'])) {
-    $element['#description'] = filter_xss_admin(token_replace($context['instance']['description']));
+    // I18N only translates $element['#description'] and not the original instance.
+    if (module_exists('i18n_field')) {
+      $instance = i18n_string_object_translate('field_instance', $context['instance']);
+    }
+    else {
+      $instance = $context['instance'];
+    }
+    $element['#description'] = filter_xss_admin(token_replace($instance['description']));
   }
 }