diff --git a/packages/block-library/src/navigation/index.php b/packages/block-library/src/navigation/index.php
index 9484ad13ed002..dd300eb12c6fe 100644
--- a/packages/block-library/src/navigation/index.php
+++ b/packages/block-library/src/navigation/index.php
@@ -344,6 +344,10 @@ private static function get_navigation_name( $attributes ) {
 
 		$navigation_name = $attributes['ariaLabel'] ?? '';
 
+		if ( ! empty( $navigation_name ) ) {
+			return $navigation_name;
+		}
+
 		// Load the navigation post.
 		if ( array_key_exists( 'ref', $attributes ) ) {
 			$navigation_post = get_post( $attributes['ref'] );