diff --git a/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/util/selector.py b/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/util/selector.py
index 9889e8c373..bed118ac70 100644
--- a/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/util/selector.py
+++ b/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/util/selector.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 
 import re
 import lark
+import ifcopenshell.api
 import ifcopenshell.util
 import ifcopenshell.util.fm
 import ifcopenshell.util.unit
@@ -357,7 +358,19 @@ def set_element_value(
         elif key == "classification":
             element = ifcopenshell.util.classification.get_references(element)
         elif key in ("x", "y", "z", "easting", "northing", "elevation") and hasattr(element, "ObjectPlacement"):
-            return
+            # TODO: add support
+            if key in ("easting", "northing", "elevation"):
+                return
+
+            placement = getattr(element, "ObjectPlacement", None)
+            if not placement:
+                return
+            matrix = ifcopenshell.util.placement.get_local_placement(element.ObjectPlacement)
+            coord_i = "xyz".index(key)
+            matrix[coord_i][3] = float(value) if value else 0.0
+            ifcopenshell.api.run(
+                "geometry.edit_object_placement", ifc_file, product=element, matrix=matrix, is_si=False
+            )
         elif isinstance(element, ifcopenshell.entity_instance):
             if key == "Name" and element.is_a("IfcMaterialLayerSet"):
                 key = "LayerSetName"  # This oddity in the IFC spec is annoying so we account for it.
diff --git a/src/ifcopenshell-python/test/util/test_selector.py b/src/ifcopenshell-python/test/util/test_selector.py
index ff312bec61..51c449e633 100644
--- a/src/ifcopenshell-python/test/util/test_selector.py
+++ b/src/ifcopenshell-python/test/util/test_selector.py
@@ -267,6 +267,19 @@ class TestFilterElements(test.bootstrap.IFC4):
         assert new_set == original_set
 
 
+class TestSetElementValue(test.bootstrap.IFC4):
+    def test_set_xyz_coordinates(self):
+        ifcopenshell.api.run("root.create_entity", self.file, ifc_class="IfcProject")
+        ifcopenshell.api.run("unit.assign_unit", self.file)
+        element = ifcopenshell.api.run("root.create_entity", self.file, ifc_class="IfcWall")
+        ifcopenshell.api.run("geometry.edit_object_placement", self.file, product=element, is_si=False)
+        for coord, value in zip("xyz", ("5", "10", "15")):
+            subject.set_element_value(self.file, element, coord, value)
+        matrix = np.eye(4)
+        matrix[:, 3] = (5, 10, 15, 1)
+        assert np.array_equal(ifcopenshell.util.placement.get_local_placement(element.ObjectPlacement), matrix)
+
+
 class TestSelector(test.bootstrap.IFC4):
     def test_selecting_by_class(self):
         element = ifcopenshell.api.run("root.create_entity", self.file, ifc_class="IfcWall")