diff --git a/cmd/ctr/commands/tasks/exec.go b/cmd/ctr/commands/tasks/exec.go
index c1a4b8bbd..f31a13f00 100644
--- a/cmd/ctr/commands/tasks/exec.go
+++ b/cmd/ctr/commands/tasks/exec.go
@@ -104,6 +104,10 @@ var execCommand = cli.Command{
 		pspec.Terminal = tty
 		pspec.Args = args
 
+		if cwd := context.String("cwd"); cwd != "" {
+			pspec.Cwd = cwd
+		}
+
 		task, err := container.Task(ctx, nil)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err