diff --git a/spyder_notebook/notebookplugin.py b/spyder_notebook/notebookplugin.py
index 35c4162..ff95bf3 100644
--- a/spyder_notebook/notebookplugin.py
+++ b/spyder_notebook/notebookplugin.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 """Notebook plugin."""
 
 # Standard library imports
+import logging
 import os.path as osp
 
 # Spyder imports
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@
 from spyder_notebook.widgets.main_widget import NotebookMainWidget
 from spyder_notebook.utils.localization import _
 
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
 
 class NotebookPlugin(SpyderDockablePlugin):
     """Spyder Notebook plugin."""
@@ -94,10 +97,11 @@ def open_notebook(self, filenames=None):
         self.get_widget().open_notebook(filenames)
 
     # ------ Private API ------------------------------------------------------
-    def _open_console(self, kernel_id, tab_name):
+    def _open_console(self, connection_file, tab_name):
         """Open an IPython console as requested."""
+        logger.info(f'Opening console with {connection_file=}')
         ipyconsole = self.get_plugin(Plugins.IPythonConsole)
-        ipyconsole.create_client_for_kernel(kernel_id)
+        ipyconsole.create_client_for_kernel(connection_file)
         ipyclient = ipyconsole.get_current_client()
         ipyclient.allow_rename = False
         ipyconsole.rename_client_tab(ipyclient, tab_name)
diff --git a/spyder_notebook/widgets/main_widget.py b/spyder_notebook/widgets/main_widget.py
index e403d36..e76c739 100644
--- a/spyder_notebook/widgets/main_widget.py
+++ b/spyder_notebook/widgets/main_widget.py
@@ -4,7 +4,11 @@
 # Licensed under the terms of the MIT License
 # (see LICENSE.txt for details)
 
+# Standard library imports
+import os.path as osp
+
 # Third-party imports
+from jupyter_core.paths import jupyter_runtime_dir
 from qtpy.QtCore import Signal
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QMessageBox, QVBoxLayout
 
@@ -55,8 +59,8 @@ class NotebookMainWidget(PluginMainWidget):
 
     Parameters
     -----------
-    kernel_id: str
-        Id of the kernel to open a console for.
+    connection_file: str
+        Name of the connection file for the kernel to open a console for.
     tab_name: str
         Tab name to set for the created console.
     """
@@ -317,8 +321,10 @@ def open_console(self, client=None):
             )
             return
 
+        connection_file = f'kernel-{kernel_id}.json'
+        connection_file = osp.join(jupyter_runtime_dir(), connection_file)
         self.sig_open_console_requested.emit(
-            kernel_id,
+            connection_file,
             client.get_short_name()
         )