diff --git a/cmd/ctr/commands/images/tag.go b/cmd/ctr/commands/images/tag.go
index 40b42926c..e145054e5 100644
--- a/cmd/ctr/commands/images/tag.go
+++ b/cmd/ctr/commands/images/tag.go
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/cmd/ctr/commands"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/errdefs"
 	"github.com/containerd/containerd/pkg/transfer/image"
+	"github.com/containerd/containerd/reference/docker"
 )
 
 var tagCommand = cli.Command{
@@ -60,6 +61,9 @@ var tagCommand = cli.Command{
 
 		if !context.BoolT("local") {
 			for _, targetRef := range context.Args()[1:] {
+				if _, err := docker.ParseAnyReference(targetRef); err != nil {
+					return fmt.Errorf("error parsing reference: %q is not a valid repository/tag %v", targetRef, err)
+				}
 				err = client.Transfer(ctx, image.NewStore(ref), image.NewStore(targetRef))
 				if err != nil {
 					return err
@@ -82,6 +86,9 @@ var tagCommand = cli.Command{
 		}
 		// Support multiple references for one command run
 		for _, targetRef := range context.Args()[1:] {
+			if _, err := docker.ParseAnyReference(targetRef); err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("error parsing reference: %q is not a valid repository/tag %v", targetRef, err)
+			}
 			image.Name = targetRef
 			// Attempt to create the image first
 			if _, err = imageService.Create(ctx, image); err != nil {