diff --git a/python-jwt.spec b/python-jwt.spec
index d7ae5a3..080f2fc 100644
--- a/python-jwt.spec
+++ b/python-jwt.spec
@@ -7,11 +7,11 @@
 # package name fragment
 %global pkgname %{libname}
 
-%global _description \
-A Python implementation of JSON Web Token draft 01. This library provides a\
-means of representing signed content using JSON data structures, including\
-claims to be transferred between two parties encoded as digitally signed and\
-encrypted JSON objects.
+%global common_description %{expand:
+A Python implementation of JSON Web Token draft 01. This library provides a
+means of representing signed content using JSON data structures, including
+claims to be transferred between two parties encoded as digitally signed and
+encrypted JSON objects.}
 
 %if %{defined fedora} && 0%{?fedora} < 30
 %bcond_without python2
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ Patch0:         skip-failing-tests.patch
 BuildArch:      noarch
 
 
-%description %{_description}
+%description %{common_description}
 
 
 %if %{with python2}
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ Requires:       python2-cryptography >= 1.4.0
 %{?python_provide:%python_provide python2-%{pkgname}}
 
 
-%description -n python2-%{pkgname} %{_description}
+%description -n python2-%{pkgname} %{common_description}
 %endif
 
 
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ Requires:       python%{python3_pkgversion}-cryptography >= 1.4.0
 %{?python_provide:%python_provide python%{python3_pkgversion}-%{pkgname}}
 
 
-%description -n python%{python3_pkgversion}-%{pkgname} %{_description}
+%description -n python%{python3_pkgversion}-%{pkgname} %{common_description}
 %endif