diff --git a/wp-includes/theme.php b/wp-includes/theme.php
index 9d43d1b2a2..9737fb3cb5 100644
--- a/wp-includes/theme.php
+++ b/wp-includes/theme.php
@@ -1194,13 +1194,20 @@ function get_header_image_tag( $attr = array() ) {
 	$width  = absint( $header->width );
 	$height = absint( $header->height );
 
+	// Use alternative text assigned to the image, if available. Otherwise, leave it empty.
+	if ( ! empty( $header->attachment_id ) && is_string( get_post_meta( $header->attachment_id, '_wp_attachment_image_alt', true ) ) ) {
+		$alt = get_post_meta( $header->attachment_id, '_wp_attachment_image_alt', true );
+	} else {
+		$alt = '';
+	}
+
 	$attr = wp_parse_args(
 		$attr,
 		array(
 			'src'    => $header->url,
 			'width'  => $width,
 			'height' => $height,
-			'alt'    => get_bloginfo( 'name' ),
+			'alt'    => $alt,
 		)
 	);
 
diff --git a/wp-includes/version.php b/wp-includes/version.php
index 140c8b8d90..21cbe1e147 100644
--- a/wp-includes/version.php
+++ b/wp-includes/version.php
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
  *
  * @global string $wp_version
  */
-$wp_version = '5.9-alpha-52255';
+$wp_version = '5.9-alpha-52256';
 
 /**
  * Holds the WordPress DB revision, increments when changes are made to the WordPress DB schema.