diff --git a/mathics/builtin/files_io/files.py b/mathics/builtin/files_io/files.py
index 45a3c4082..a36f1a3b1 100644
--- a/mathics/builtin/files_io/files.py
+++ b/mathics/builtin/files_io/files.py
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@
 from mathics_scanner import TranslateError
 
 import mathics
-from mathics.core import read
 from mathics.core.atoms import Integer, String, SymbolString
 from mathics.core.attributes import A_PROTECTED, A_READ_PROTECTED
 from mathics.core.builtin import (
@@ -465,7 +464,7 @@ class InputFileName_(Predefined):
     name = "$InputFileName"
 
     def evaluate(self, evaluation):
-        return String(read.INPUTFILE_VAR)
+        return String(evaluation.definitions.get_inputfile())
 
 
 class InputStream(Builtin):
diff --git a/mathics/core/definitions.py b/mathics/core/definitions.py
index bd2d8d3bf..1d1cdb26c 100644
--- a/mathics/core/definitions.py
+++ b/mathics/core/definitions.py
@@ -121,6 +121,7 @@ def __init__(
             "System`",
             "Global`",
         )
+        self.inputfile = ""
 
         # Importing "mathics.format" populates the Symbol of the
         # PrintForms and OutputForms sets.
@@ -243,6 +244,9 @@ def get_current_context(self):
     def get_context_path(self):
         return self.context_path
 
+    def get_inputfile(self):
+        return self.inputfile if hasattr(self, "inputfile") else ""
+
     def set_current_context(self, context) -> None:
         assert isinstance(context, str)
         self.set_ownvalue("System`$Context", String(context))
@@ -259,6 +263,9 @@ def set_context_path(self, context_path) -> None:
         self.context_path = context_path
         self.clear_cache()
 
+    def set_inputfile(self, dir) -> None:
+        self.inputfile = dir
+
     def get_builtin_names(self):
         return set(self.builtin)
 
diff --git a/mathics/core/read.py b/mathics/core/read.py
index 7755584c9..08c77f2f8 100644
--- a/mathics/core/read.py
+++ b/mathics/core/read.py
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 """
 
 import io
-import os.path as osp
 
 from mathics.builtin.atomic.strings import to_python_encoding
 from mathics.core.atoms import Integer, String
@@ -13,9 +12,6 @@
 from mathics.core.streams import Stream, path_search, stream_manager
 from mathics.core.symbols import Symbol
 
-# FIXME: don't use a module-level path
-INPUTFILE_VAR = ""
-
 SymbolInputStream = Symbol("InputStream")
 SymbolOutputStream = Symbol("OutputStream")
 SymbolEndOfFile = Symbol("EndOfFile")
@@ -83,8 +79,6 @@ def __enter__(self, is_temporary_file=False):
 
         # Open the file
         self.fp = io.open(path, self.mode, encoding=self.encoding)
-        global INPUTFILE_VAR
-        INPUTFILE_VAR = osp.abspath(path)
 
         # Add to our internal list of streams
         self.stream = stream_manager.add(
@@ -100,8 +94,6 @@ def __enter__(self, is_temporary_file=False):
         return self.fp
 
     def __exit__(self, type, value, traceback):
-        global INPUTFILE_VAR
-        INPUTFILE_VAR = self.old_inputfile_var or ""
         self.fp.close()
         stream_manager.delete_stream(self.stream)
         super().__exit__(type, value, traceback)
@@ -316,8 +308,3 @@ def read_from_stream(stream, word_separators, msgfn, accepted=None):
                 break
 
             word += tmp
-
-
-def set_inputfile(filename):
-    global INPUTFILE_VAR
-    INPUTFILE_VAR = filename
diff --git a/mathics/main.py b/mathics/main.py
index 2c2a36792..e4d1270f7 100755
--- a/mathics/main.py
+++ b/mathics/main.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
 from mathics.core.expression import Expression
 from mathics.core.load_builtin import import_and_load_builtins
 from mathics.core.parser import MathicsFileLineFeeder, MathicsLineFeeder
-from mathics.core.read import channel_to_stream, set_inputfile
+from mathics.core.read import channel_to_stream
 from mathics.core.rules import BuiltinRule
 from mathics.core.streams import stream_manager
 from mathics.core.symbols import SymbolNull, strip_context
@@ -423,7 +423,7 @@ def dump_tracing_stats():
         definitions.set_line_no(0)
 
     if args.FILE is not None:
-        set_inputfile(args.FILE.name)
+        definitions.set_inputfile(args.FILE.name)
         feeder = MathicsFileLineFeeder(args.FILE)
         try:
             while not feeder.empty():