diff --git a/events.go b/events.go
index 352106c62..cc12eaef6 100644
--- a/events.go
+++ b/events.go
@@ -37,13 +37,12 @@ information is displayed once every 5 seconds.`,
 		if err != nil {
 			fatal(err)
 		}
-		id := context.Args().First()
 		status, err := container.Status()
 		if err != nil {
 			fatal(err)
 		}
 		if status == libcontainer.Destroyed {
-			fatalf("container with id %s is not running",id)
+			fatalf("container with id %s is not running", container.ID())
 		}
 		var (
 			stats  = make(chan *libcontainer.Stats, 1)