diff --git a/src/cisco_gnmi/__init__.py b/src/cisco_gnmi/__init__.py
index 0eb3982..16a73b6 100644
--- a/src/cisco_gnmi/__init__.py
+++ b/src/cisco_gnmi/__init__.py
@@ -30,4 +30,4 @@
 from .xe import XEClient
 from .builder import ClientBuilder
 
-__version__ = "1.0.9"
+__version__ = "1.0.10"
diff --git a/src/cisco_gnmi/builder.py b/src/cisco_gnmi/builder.py
index d80e55b..0f6d445 100644
--- a/src/cisco_gnmi/builder.py
+++ b/src/cisco_gnmi/builder.py
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ def set_channel_option(self, name, value):
                 self.__channel_options.append(new_option)
         return self
 
-    def construct(self):
+    def construct(self, return_channel=False):
         """Constructs and returns the desired Client object.
         The instance of this class will reset to default values for further building.
 
@@ -347,7 +347,10 @@ def construct(self):
                 ],
             )
         self._reset()
-        return client
+        if return_channel:
+            return client, channel
+        else:
+            return client
 
     def _reset(self):
         """Resets the builder.
diff --git a/src/cisco_gnmi/client.py b/src/cisco_gnmi/client.py
index 53e9c20..11df9ca 100755
--- a/src/cisco_gnmi/client.py
+++ b/src/cisco_gnmi/client.py
@@ -98,6 +98,7 @@ def __init__(self, grpc_channel, timeout=_C_MAX_LONG, default_call_metadata=None
         """
         self.service = proto.gnmi_pb2_grpc.gNMIStub(grpc_channel)
         self.default_call_metadata = default_call_metadata
+        self._channel = grpc_channel
 
     def capabilities(self):
         """Capabilities allows the client to retrieve the set of capabilities that