diff --git a/modules/videoio/src/cap_v4l.cpp b/modules/videoio/src/cap_v4l.cpp
index 00f6b21b1a..36dd928ec4 100644
--- a/modules/videoio/src/cap_v4l.cpp
+++ b/modules/videoio/src/cap_v4l.cpp
@@ -1583,7 +1583,7 @@ static double icvGetPropertyCAM_V4L (const CvCaptureCAM_V4L* capture,
       case CV_CAP_PROP_MODE:
           return capture->palette;
       case CV_CAP_PROP_FORMAT:
-          return CV_8UC3;
+          return CV_MAKETYPE(CV_8U, capture->frame.nChannels);
       case CV_CAP_PROP_CONVERT_RGB:
           return capture->convert_rgb;
       }