This behaviour has been reported [previously](https://sqlite.org/forum/forumpost/1ed51ec0d0c71a42). A workaround to preserve the value is to place it in parentheses. e.g. ```bash sqlite> .param set @contact ('+66-2-615-3964') sqlite> SELECT @contact; +66-2-615-3964 ``` Probably just requires some clarification in the docs.