diff --git a/changelogs/fragments/45700-docker_container-dont-parse-absent.yml b/changelogs/fragments/45700-docker_container-dont-parse-absent.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..77a0af6c731
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelogs/fragments/45700-docker_container-dont-parse-absent.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+bugfixes:
+- "Don't parse parameters and options when ``state`` is ``absent`` (https://github.com/ansible/ansible/pull/45700)."
diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/docker/docker_container.py b/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/docker/docker_container.py
index 470c1e2e179..34cc8d4c080 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/docker/docker_container.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/cloud/docker/docker_container.py
@@ -753,6 +753,11 @@ class TaskParameters(DockerBaseClass):
         for key, value in client.module.params.items():
             setattr(self, key, value)
 
+        # If state is 'absent', parameters do not have to be parsed or interpreted.
+        # Only the container's name is needed.
+        if self.state == 'absent':
+            return
+
         for param_name in REQUIRES_CONVERSION_TO_BYTES:
             if client.module.params.get(param_name):
                 try: