diff --git a/tests/test_iam/test_iam.py b/tests/test_iam/test_iam.py
index be25c2e96..1114f72de 100644
--- a/tests/test_iam/test_iam.py
+++ b/tests/test_iam/test_iam.py
@@ -1176,6 +1176,17 @@ def test_update_role():
     response = conn.update_role_description(RoleName="my-role", Description="test")
     assert response['Role']['RoleName'] == 'my-role'
 
+@mock_iam()
+def test_update_role():
+    conn = boto3.client('iam', region_name='us-east-1')
+
+    with assert_raises(ClientError):
+        conn.delete_role(RoleName="my-role")
+
+    conn.create_role(RoleName="my-role", AssumeRolePolicyDocument="some policy", Path="/my-path/")
+    response = conn.update_role(RoleName="my-role", Description="test")
+    assert response['Role']['RoleName'] == 'my-role'
+
 @mock_iam()
 def test_list_entities_for_policy():
     conn = boto3.client('iam', region_name='us-east-1')