diff --git a/libpod/container_internal.go b/libpod/container_internal.go
index e5972ab263..1e665d27e5 100644
--- a/libpod/container_internal.go
+++ b/libpod/container_internal.go
@@ -1241,7 +1241,7 @@ func (c *Container) start(ctx context.Context) error {
 		}
 	}
 
-	defer c.newContainerEvent(events.Start)
+	c.newContainerEvent(events.Start)
 
 	if err := c.save(); err != nil {
 		return err