diff --git a/_pytest/mark.py b/_pytest/mark.py
index 454722ca2..61b8177e5 100644
--- a/_pytest/mark.py
+++ b/_pytest/mark.py
@@ -119,7 +119,9 @@ def pytest_cmdline_main(config):
         config._do_configure()
         tw = _pytest.config.create_terminal_writer(config)
         for line in config.getini("markers"):
-            name, rest = line.split(":", 1)
+            parts = line.split(":", 1)
+            name = parts[0]
+            rest = parts[1] if len(parts) == 2 else ''
             tw.write("@pytest.mark.%s:" % name, bold=True)
             tw.line(rest)
             tw.line()
@@ -272,7 +274,7 @@ class MarkGenerator:
             pass
         self._markers = values = set()
         for line in self._config.getini("markers"):
-            marker, _ = line.split(":", 1)
+            marker = line.split(":", 1)[0]
             marker = marker.rstrip()
             x = marker.split("(", 1)[0]
             values.add(x)
diff --git a/changelog/2942.bugfix b/changelog/2942.bugfix
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..aca02f6d0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog/2942.bugfix
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Handle marks without description
diff --git a/testing/test_mark.py b/testing/test_mark.py
index 3ac42daee..bf50e1587 100644
--- a/testing/test_mark.py
+++ b/testing/test_mark.py
@@ -161,11 +161,13 @@ def test_markers_option(testdir):
         markers =
             a1: this is a webtest marker
             a1some: another marker
+            nodescription
     """)
     result = testdir.runpytest("--markers", )
     result.stdout.fnmatch_lines([
         "*a1*this is a webtest*",
         "*a1some*another marker",
+        "*nodescription*",
     ])
 
 
@@ -186,6 +188,21 @@ def test_ini_markers_whitespace(testdir):
     rec.assertoutcome(passed=1)
 
 
+def test_marker_without_description(testdir):
+    testdir.makefile(".cfg", setup="""
+        [tool:pytest]
+        markers=slow
+    """)
+    testdir.makeconftest("""
+        import pytest
+        pytest.mark.xfail('FAIL')
+    """)
+    ftdir = testdir.mkdir("ft1_dummy")
+    testdir.tmpdir.join("conftest.py").move(ftdir.join("conftest.py"))
+    rec = testdir.runpytest_subprocess("--strict")
+    rec.assert_outcomes()
+
+
 def test_markers_option_with_plugin_in_current_dir(testdir):
     testdir.makeconftest('pytest_plugins = "flip_flop"')
     testdir.makepyfile(flip_flop="""\