diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/r-backports/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/r-backports/package.py
index 41ccfadb11..1d9c9de415 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/r-backports/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/r-backports/package.py
@@ -7,18 +7,20 @@
 
 
 class RBackports(RPackage):
-    """Implementations of functions which have been introduced
-    in R since version 3.0.0. The backports are conditionally
-    exported which results in R resolving the function names to
-    the version shipped with R (if available) and uses the
-    implemented backports as fallback. This way package developers
-    can make use of the new functions without worrying about the
-    minimum required R version."""
+    """Reimplementations of Functions Introduced Since R-3.0.0
+
+    Functions introduced or changed since R v3.0.0 are re-implemented in this
+    package. The backports are conditionally exported in order to let R resolve
+    the function name to either the implemented backport, or the respective
+    base version, if available. Package developers can make use of new
+    functions or arguments by selectively importing specific backports to
+    support older installations."""
 
     homepage = "https://cloud.r-project.org/package=backports"
     url      = "https://cloud.r-project.org/src/contrib/backports_1.1.1.tar.gz"
     list_url = "https://cloud.r-project.org/src/contrib/Archive/backports"
 
+    version('1.2.1', sha256='a2834bbd57e305e5d8010322f1906ea1789b3b5ba5eca77c5ff4248aceb7c2d5')
     version('1.1.4', sha256='ee4b5efef22fa7ef27d7983ffcd31db52f81e1fbb7189c6e89ee09b69349ff03')
     version('1.1.3', sha256='e41bd146824ec921994f1b176d0e4cca0b36dd3db32ca7a954d872a5ba214cc1')
     version('1.1.1', sha256='494e81a4829339c8f1cc3e015daa807e9138b8e21b929965fc7c00b1abbe8897')