diff --git a/contrib/zsh_completion b/contrib/zsh_completion
--- a/contrib/zsh_completion
+++ b/contrib/zsh_completion
@@ -360,8 +360,8 @@ typeset -A _hg_cmd_globals
     '(--help -h)'{-h,--help}'[display help and exit]'
     '--debug[debug mode]'
     '--debugger[start debugger]'
-    '--encoding[set the charset encoding (default: UTF8)]'
-    '--encodingmode[set the charset encoding mode (default: strict)]'
+    '--encoding[set the charset encoding]'
+    '--encodingmode[set the charset encoding mode]'
     '--lsprof[print improved command execution profile]'
     '--traceback[print traceback on exception]'
     '--time[time how long the command takes]'