diff --git a/agent/engine/task_manager.go b/agent/engine/task_manager.go
index 9254494284f..6f5cae7f29b 100644
--- a/agent/engine/task_manager.go
+++ b/agent/engine/task_manager.go
@@ -554,6 +554,8 @@ func (mtask *managedTask) handleEventError(containerChange dockerContainerChange
 			mtask.cfg.AgentPullBehavior == config.OnceAgentPullBehavior {
 			seelog.Criticalf("Managed task [%s]: Error while pulling container %s, task will fail: %v",
 				mtask.Arn, container.Name, event.Error)
+			// The task should be stopped regardless of whether this container is
+			// essential or non-essential.
 			mtask.SetDesiredStatus(api.TaskStopped)
 			mtask.emitTaskEvent(mtask.Task, taskUnableToPullImage)
 			return false