diff --git a/exec.go b/exec.go
index d2512301..44b27696 100644
--- a/exec.go
+++ b/exec.go
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ func execProcess(context *cli.Context) (int, error) {
 		return -1, err
 	}
 	if status == libcontainer.Stopped {
-		return -1, fmt.Errorf("cannot exec a container that has run and stopped")
+		return -1, fmt.Errorf("cannot exec a container that has stopped")
 	}
 	path := context.String("process")
 	if path == "" && len(context.Args()) == 1 {
diff --git a/start.go b/start.go
index 9dd9dfd6..43566149 100644
--- a/start.go
+++ b/start.go
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ your host.`,
 					hasError = true
 				}
 			case libcontainer.Stopped:
-				fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, "cannot start a container that has run and stopped")
+				fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, "cannot start a container that has stopped")
 				hasError = true
 			case libcontainer.Running:
 				fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, "cannot start an already running container")