diff --git a/cmd/ctr/commands/snapshot/snapshot.go b/cmd/ctr/commands/snapshot/snapshot.go
index 734871823..1a54b86f9 100644
--- a/cmd/ctr/commands/snapshot/snapshot.go
+++ b/cmd/ctr/commands/snapshot/snapshot.go
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ var prepareCommand = cli.Command{
 		},
 	},
 	Action: func(context *cli.Context) error {
-		if context.NArg() != 2 {
+		if narg := context.NArg(); narg < 1 || narg > 2 {
 			return cli.ShowSubcommandHelp(context)
 		}
 		var (
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ var viewCommand = cli.Command{
 		},
 	},
 	Action: func(context *cli.Context) error {
-		if context.NArg() != 2 {
+		if narg := context.NArg(); narg < 1 || narg > 2 {
 			return cli.ShowSubcommandHelp(context)
 		}
 		var (