diff --git a/cmd/podman/pod_inspect.go b/cmd/podman/pod_inspect.go
index 79ffe2e6f699..371a9c260f70 100644
--- a/cmd/podman/pod_inspect.go
+++ b/cmd/podman/pod_inspect.go
@@ -50,6 +50,10 @@ func podInspectCmd(c *cliconfig.PodInspectValues) error {
 	}
 	defer runtime.Shutdown(false)
 
+	if len(args) < 1 && !c.Latest {
+		return errors.Errorf("you must provide the name or id of a pod")
+	}
+
 	if c.Latest {
 		pod, err = runtime.GetLatestPod()
 		if err != nil {