diff --git a/mathics/builtin/forms/output.py b/mathics/builtin/forms/output.py
index bdbb28f8e..32aa93a64 100644
--- a/mathics/builtin/forms/output.py
+++ b/mathics/builtin/forms/output.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 from mathics.builtin.box.layout import GridBox, RowBox, to_boxes
 from mathics.builtin.comparison import expr_min
 from mathics.builtin.forms.base import FormBaseClass
-from mathics.builtin.makeboxes import MakeBoxes, number_form
+from mathics.builtin.makeboxes import MakeBoxes, SYMBOL_NO_FORMATBOXES, number_form
 from mathics.builtin.tensors import get_dimensions
 
 from mathics.core.atoms import (
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
     StringFromPython,
 )
 
+from mathics.core.attributes import A_LOCKED, A_PROTECTED
 from mathics.core.expression import Expression, BoxError
 from mathics.core.formatter import format_element
 from mathics.core.list import ListExpression
@@ -188,12 +189,16 @@ def eval_makeboxes(self, expr, f, evaluation):
         # MakeBoxes is formatting an expression inside a DisplayForm.
         # Hopefully, this is temporal and it is not going to be
         # needed after the Format/MakeBoxes refactor.
-        previous_df, evaluation.in_display_form = evaluation.in_display_form, True
+
+        old_value_in_display_form = SYMBOL_NO_FORMATBOXES.evaluate(evaluation)
+        evaluation.definitions.set_ownvalue(SYMBOL_NO_FORMATBOXES.name, SymbolTrue)
         try:
             result = MakeBoxes(expr, f).evaluate(evaluation)
-        except:
-            pass
-        evaluation.in_display_form = previous_df
+        except Exception:
+            result = None
+        evaluation.definitions.set_ownvalue(
+            SYMBOL_NO_FORMATBOXES.name, old_value_in_display_form
+        )
         return result
 
 
@@ -1124,3 +1129,23 @@ def eval_makeboxes_matrix(self, table, f, evaluation, options):
             return RowBox(String("("), result, String(")"))
 
         return result
+
+
+# Custom private symbol that helps DisplayForm to control if
+# MakeBoxes must process BoxElements as expressions, or keep as they are.
+class PrivateSymbolThatControlsTheStateOfDisplayForm(Builtin):
+    """
+    <dl>
+    <dt>'PrivateSymbolThatControlsTheStateOfDisplayForm'
+    <dd>If True, MakeBoxes keep Box elements as they are. Otherwise,\
+    tries to format them as if it were expressions.
+    </dl>
+    """
+
+    attributes = A_LOCKED | A_PROTECTED
+    context = "System`Private`MakeBoxes`"
+    name = "PrivateSymbolThatControlsTheStateOfDisplayForm"
+    rules = {
+        "System`Private`MakeBoxes`PrivateSymbolThatControlsTheStateOfDisplayForm": "False",
+    }
+    summary_text = "control if boxes are reevaluated."
diff --git a/mathics/builtin/makeboxes.py b/mathics/builtin/makeboxes.py
index 84d504c1a..fcbe4108d 100644
--- a/mathics/builtin/makeboxes.py
+++ b/mathics/builtin/makeboxes.py
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@
 from mathics.core.symbols import (
     Atom,
     Symbol,
+    SymbolTrue,
 )
 
 from mathics.core.systemsymbols import (
@@ -46,6 +47,12 @@
 )
 
 
+# Afterwards, we can find a better name
+SYMBOL_NO_FORMATBOXES = Symbol(
+    "System`Private`MakeBoxes`PrivateSymbolThatControlsTheStateOfDisplayForm"
+)
+
+
 def int_to_s_exp(expr, n):
     n = expr.get_int_value()
     if n < 0:
@@ -396,7 +403,7 @@ def apply_general(self, expr, f, evaluation):
         if isinstance(expr, BoxElementMixin):
             # If we are inside a DisplayForm block,
             # BoxElementMixin are not processed.
-            if evaluation.in_display_form:
+            if SYMBOL_NO_FORMATBOXES.evaluate(evaluation) is SymbolTrue:
                 return expr
             expr = expr.to_expression()
         if isinstance(expr, Atom):
diff --git a/mathics/core/evaluation.py b/mathics/core/evaluation.py
index fd6356dbf..c08e6c510 100644
--- a/mathics/core/evaluation.py
+++ b/mathics/core/evaluation.py
@@ -257,8 +257,6 @@ def __init__(
         self.quiet_all = False
         self.format = format
 
-        # See comment in mathics.builtin.makeboxes.DisplayForm
-        self.in_display_form = False
         self.catch_interrupt = catch_interrupt
         self.SymbolNull = SymbolNull