diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/drain.go b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/drain.go
index 19d5e7bca2f..8826db24015 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/drain.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/drain.go
@@ -260,6 +260,11 @@ func (o *DrainOptions) getPodCreator(pod api.Pod) (*api.SerializedReference, err
 }
 
 func (o *DrainOptions) unreplicatedFilter(pod api.Pod) (bool, *warning, *fatal) {
+	// any finished pod can be removed
+	if pod.Status.Phase == api.PodSucceeded || pod.Status.Phase == api.PodFailed {
+		return true, nil, nil
+	}
+
 	sr, err := o.getPodCreator(pod)
 	if err != nil {
 		return false, nil, &fatal{err.Error()}