diff --git a/src/table/__tests__/a11y.test.tsx b/src/table/__tests__/a11y.test.tsx
index 5b31974a4e..7db71903c9 100644
--- a/src/table/__tests__/a11y.test.tsx
+++ b/src/table/__tests__/a11y.test.tsx
@@ -130,6 +130,16 @@ describe('labels', () => {
       expect(wrapper.find('[role=table]')!.getElement().getAttribute('aria-rowcount')).toEqual('-1');
     });
 
+    test('aria-rowcount should be -1 if the table is loading', () => {
+      const wrapper = renderTableWrapper({ loading: true, loadingText: 'Loading items', totalItemsCount: 500 });
+      expect(wrapper.find('[role=table]')!.getElement().getAttribute('aria-rowcount')).toEqual('-1');
+    });
+
+    test('aria-rowcount should be 2 (header and empty state cell) if the empty state is rendered', () => {
+      const wrapper = renderTableWrapper({ items: [], totalItemsCount: 500 });
+      expect(wrapper.find('[role=table]')!.getElement().getAttribute('aria-rowcount')).toEqual('2');
+    });
+
     test.each([undefined, 21])('sets aria-rowindex on table rows', firstIndex => {
       const expectedFirstIndex = firstIndex ?? 1;
       const wrapper = renderTableWrapper({ firstIndex });
diff --git a/src/table/internal.tsx b/src/table/internal.tsx
index a55bac76ab..701edfff58 100644
--- a/src/table/internal.tsx
+++ b/src/table/internal.tsx
@@ -547,7 +547,7 @@ const InternalTable = React.forwardRef(
                     )}
                     {...getTableRoleProps({
                       tableRole,
-                      totalItemsCount,
+                      totalItemsCount: loading ? -1 : allItems.length === 0 ? 1 : totalItemsCount,
                       totalColumnsCount: totalColumnsCount,
                       ariaLabel: ariaLabels?.tableLabel,
                       ariaLabelledby,