diff --git a/barcode/writer.py b/barcode/writer.py
index 77c5c8d..f50a119 100755
--- a/barcode/writer.py
+++ b/barcode/writer.py
@@ -464,6 +464,10 @@ def _paint_module(self, xpos: float, ypos: float, width: float, color):
             self._draw.rectangle(size, outline=color, fill=color)
 
         def _paint_text(self, xpos, ypos):
+            # check option to override self.text with self.human (barcode as
+            # human readable data, can be used to print own formats)
+            barcodetext = self.human if self.human != "" else self.text
+            
             assert ImageFont is not None
 
             # check option to override self.text with self.human (barcode as