diff --git a/qiskit_ibm_runtime/ibm_runtime_service.py b/qiskit_ibm_runtime/ibm_runtime_service.py
index e0645fefd4..4f4c03d46c 100644
--- a/qiskit_ibm_runtime/ibm_runtime_service.py
+++ b/qiskit_ibm_runtime/ibm_runtime_service.py
@@ -1045,7 +1045,6 @@ def upload_program(
 
             - name
             - max_execution_time
-            - description
 
         Program metadata can be specified using the `metadata` parameter or
         individual parameter (for example, `name` and `description`). If the
@@ -1066,7 +1065,7 @@ def upload_program(
 
                 * name: Name of the program. Required.
                 * max_execution_time: Maximum execution time in seconds. Required.
-                * description: Program description. Required.
+                * description: Program description.
                 * is_public: Whether the runtime program should be visible to the public.
                                     The default is ``False``.
                 * spec: Specifications for backend characteristics and input parameters
@@ -1088,7 +1087,7 @@ def upload_program(
         """
         program_metadata = self._read_metadata(metadata=metadata)
 
-        for req in ["name", "description", "max_execution_time"]:
+        for req in ["name", "max_execution_time"]:
             if req not in program_metadata or not program_metadata[req]:
                 raise IBMInputValueError(f"{req} is a required metadata field.")
 
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/optional-program-description-f6e3aceca8223af7.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/optional-program-description-f6e3aceca8223af7.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9008101577
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/optional-program-description-f6e3aceca8223af7.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+upgrade:
+  - |
+    When uploading a program with :meth:`qiskit_ibm_runtime.IBMRuntimeService.upload_program`,
+    the program description is now optional. 
\ No newline at end of file