diff --git a/python/nav/django/templatetags/maintenance.py b/python/nav/django/templatetags/maintenance.py
index e30b5557bd..799b1d0e5f 100644
--- a/python/nav/django/templatetags/maintenance.py
+++ b/python/nav/django/templatetags/maintenance.py
@@ -46,6 +46,18 @@ def component_name(component):
     return component.pk
 
 
+@register.filter
+def component_description(component):
+    """Returns a description of a component useful as a link title tooltip.  Returns
+    an empty string if there is no further description than the component's name.
+    """
+    if isinstance(component, MissingComponent):
+        return str(component)
+    if hasattr(component, "ip"):
+        return str(component.ip)
+    return getattr(component, "description", "")
+
+
 @register.filter
 def component_db_table(component):
     """Returns the database table name of a model object used as a maintenance
diff --git a/python/nav/web/templates/maintenance/frag-component-trail.html b/python/nav/web/templates/maintenance/frag-component-trail.html
index 1b64cb2670..fc91b656cc 100644
--- a/python/nav/web/templates/maintenance/frag-component-trail.html
+++ b/python/nav/web/templates/maintenance/frag-component-trail.html
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 {% load maintenance %}
 {% for element in trail %}
-    {% with element|component_name as title %}
+    {% with element|component_name as name %}
         {% if element.get_absolute_url %}
-            <a href="{{ element.get_absolute_url }}" title="{{ title }}">{{ title }}</a>
+            <a href="{{ element.get_absolute_url }}" title="{{ element|component_description }}">{{ name }}</a>
         {% else %}
-            {{ title }}
+            {{ name }}
         {% endif %}
     {% endwith %}
     {% if not forloop.last %} → {% endif %}