diff --git a/src/pydase/utils/serializer.py b/src/pydase/utils/serializer.py
index e91ea77..c54504c 100644
--- a/src/pydase/utils/serializer.py
+++ b/src/pydase/utils/serializer.py
@@ -267,18 +267,24 @@ def set_nested_value_by_path(
         logger.error(e)
         return
 
-    # setting the new value
     serialized_value = dump(value)
-    serialized_value.pop("readonly", None)
-    value_type = serialized_value.pop("type")
-    if "readonly" in current_dict and current_dict["type"] != "method":
-        current_dict["type"] = value_type
+    keys_to_keep = set(serialized_value.keys())
+
+    if current_dict == {}:  # adding an attribute / element to a list or dict
+        pass
+    elif current_dict["type"] == "method":  # state change of task
+        keys_to_keep = set(current_dict.keys())
+
+        serialized_value = current_dict
+        serialized_value["value"] = value.name if isinstance(value, Enum) else None
+    else:
+        # attribute-specific information should not be overwritten by new value
+        serialized_value.pop("readonly")
+        serialized_value.pop("doc")
 
     current_dict.update(serialized_value)
 
     # removes keys that are not present in the serialized new value
-    keys_to_keep = set(serialized_value.keys()) | {"type", "readonly"}
-
     for key in list(current_dict.keys()):
         if key not in keys_to_keep:
             current_dict.pop(key, None)
diff --git a/tests/utils/test_serializer.py b/tests/utils/test_serializer.py
index 096dec3..cc47707 100644
--- a/tests/utils/test_serializer.py
+++ b/tests/utils/test_serializer.py
@@ -405,6 +405,9 @@ def setup_dict() -> dict[str, Any]:
         enum_attr = MyEnum.RUNNING
         attr_list = [0, 1, MySubclass()]
 
+        def my_task(self) -> None:
+            pass
+
     return ServiceClass().serialize()["value"]
 
 
@@ -439,6 +442,28 @@ def test_update_enum_attribute_to_float(setup_dict: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
     }
 
 
+def test_update_task_state(setup_dict: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
+    assert setup_dict["my_task"] == {
+        "async": False,
+        "doc": None,
+        "frontend_render": False,
+        "readonly": True,
+        "signature": {"parameters": {}, "return_annotation": {}},
+        "type": "method",
+        "value": None,
+    }
+    set_nested_value_by_path(setup_dict, "my_task", TaskStatus.RUNNING)
+    assert setup_dict["my_task"] == {
+        "async": False,
+        "doc": None,
+        "frontend_render": False,
+        "readonly": True,
+        "signature": {"parameters": {}, "return_annotation": {}},
+        "type": "method",
+        "value": "RUNNING",
+    }
+
+
 def test_update_list_entry(setup_dict: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
     set_nested_value_by_path(setup_dict, "attr_list[1]", 20)
     assert setup_dict["attr_list"]["value"][1]["value"] == 20