diff --git a/lisp/progmodes/sql.el b/lisp/progmodes/sql.el
index d20c579f660..9bb2cf4bdf9 100644
--- a/lisp/progmodes/sql.el
+++ b/lisp/progmodes/sql.el
@@ -4406,7 +4406,8 @@ The default comes from `process-coding-system-alist' and
                            (or coding 'utf-8))
                     (when (string-match (format "\\.%s\\'" (car cs)) nlslang)
                       (setq coding (cdr cs)))))
-    (set-buffer-process-coding-system coding coding)))
+    (set-process-coding-system (get-buffer-process (current-buffer))
+                               coding coding)))
 
 (defun sql-oracle-save-settings (sqlbuf)
   "Save most SQL*Plus settings so they may be reset by \\[sql-redirect]."