QGIS reverting PyQGIS custom legend text to layer name upon reopening project [duplicate]

Question

I set the legend text using the code below but upon saving, closing and reopening the QGIS project the legend text reverts back to the layer name.

project = QgsProject.instance()
manager = project.layoutManager()
layout = manager.printLayouts()[0]
legend = QgsLayoutItemLegend(layout)
.
.
.
legend.setAutoUpdateModel(False)
root = legend.model().rootGroup()
root.removeAllChildren()
leg_layer = root.addLayer(layer)
leg_layer.setUseLayerName(False)
leg_layer.setName('layer legend text')
legend.model().setRootGroup(root)
layout.addLayoutItem(legend)