diff --git a/cmd/ctr/commands/containers/containers.go b/cmd/ctr/commands/containers/containers.go
index f087106cc..f87b0c6ba 100644
--- a/cmd/ctr/commands/containers/containers.go
+++ b/cmd/ctr/commands/containers/containers.go
@@ -248,6 +248,12 @@ var infoCommand = cli.Command{
 	Name:      "info",
 	Usage:     "get info about a container",
 	ArgsUsage: "CONTAINER",
+	Flags: []cli.Flag{
+		cli.BoolFlag{
+			Name:  "spec",
+			Usage: "only display the spec",
+		},
+	},
 	Action: func(context *cli.Context) error {
 		id := context.Args().First()
 		if id == "" {
@@ -266,6 +272,14 @@ var infoCommand = cli.Command{
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
+		if context.Bool("spec") {
+			v, err := typeurl.UnmarshalAny(info.Spec)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			commands.PrintAsJSON(v)
+			return nil
+		}
 
 		if info.Spec != nil && info.Spec.Value != nil {
 			v, err := typeurl.UnmarshalAny(info.Spec)