diff --git a/zenoh/src/query.rs b/zenoh/src/query.rs
index c4f3fb35e9..cc70021013 100644
--- a/zenoh/src/query.rs
+++ b/zenoh/src/query.rs
@@ -297,6 +297,7 @@ impl<'a, 'b, Handler> GetBuilder<'a, 'b, Handler> {
     }
 
     /// Set query value.
+    /// The existing value and encoding will be overwritten.
     #[inline]
     pub fn with_value<IntoValue>(mut self, value: IntoValue) -> Self
     where
@@ -306,6 +307,20 @@ impl<'a, 'b, Handler> GetBuilder<'a, 'b, Handler> {
         self
     }
 
+    /// Set the encoding of the existing query value.
+    /// The empty value will be created if value is not set.
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn encoding<IntoEncoding>(mut self, encoding: IntoEncoding) -> Self
+    where
+        IntoEncoding: Into<Encoding>,
+    {
+        match self.value {
+            Some(ref mut value) => value.encoding = encoding.into(),
+            None => self.value = Some(Value::empty().encoding(encoding.into())),
+        }
+        self
+    }
+
     #[zenoh_macros::unstable]
     pub fn with_attachment(mut self, attachment: Attachment) -> Self {
         self.attachment = Some(attachment);