diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/ml/public/jobs/jobs_list/components/jobs_list/jobs_list.js b/x-pack/plugins/ml/public/jobs/jobs_list/components/jobs_list/jobs_list.js
index 24f509d616c5..f44e35155167 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugins/ml/public/jobs/jobs_list/components/jobs_list/jobs_list.js
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/ml/public/jobs/jobs_list/components/jobs_list/jobs_list.js
@@ -254,6 +254,7 @@ class JobsListUI extends Component {
     return (
       <EuiBasicTable
         loading={loading === true}
+        noItemsMessage={loading ? 'Loading jobs...' : 'No jobs found'}
         itemId="id"
         className={`jobs-list-table ${selectedJobsClass}`}
         items={pageOfItems}