diff --git a/tests/backoffice_pages/test_form_inspect.py b/tests/backoffice_pages/test_form_inspect.py
index 35cbd0767..3eec58d37 100644
--- a/tests/backoffice_pages/test_form_inspect.py
+++ b/tests/backoffice_pages/test_form_inspect.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ from wcs.workflows import (
     Workflow,
     WorkflowBackofficeFieldsFormDef,
     WorkflowCriticalityLevel,
+    WorkflowVariablesFieldsFormDef,
 )
 
 from ..utilities import clean_temporary_pub, create_temporary_pub, get_app, login
@@ -1205,3 +1206,72 @@ def test_inspect_page_idp_role(pub):
         resp.pyquery('[data-function-key="_receiver"] a').attr.href
         == 'https://idp.example.net/manage/roles/uuid:d4b59e1ffb204dfd99fd3760f4952999/'
     )
+
+
+def test_inspect_page_form_option(pub):
+    create_user(pub, is_admin=True)
+    FormDef.wipe()
+
+    wf = Workflow(name='variables')
+    wf.variables_formdef = WorkflowVariablesFieldsFormDef(workflow=wf)
+    wf.add_status('st1')
+    wf.store()
+
+    formdef = FormDef()
+    formdef.name = 'form title'
+    formdef.fields = []
+    formdef.workflow = wf
+    formdef.store()
+    formdef.data_class().wipe()
+
+    formdata = formdef.data_class()()
+    formdata.just_created()
+    formdata.store()
+
+    app = login(get_app(pub))
+    resp = app.get('%sinspect' % formdata.get_url(backoffice=True), status=200)
+    assert 'form_option' not in resp.text
+
+    wf.variables_formdef.fields = [
+        fields.StringField(label='String test', varname='string_test'),
+        fields.DateField(label='Date test', varname='date_test'),
+    ]
+    wf.store()
+    resp = app.get('%sinspect' % formdata.get_url(backoffice=True), status=200)
+    assert (
+        resp.pyquery('[title="form_option_string_test"]').parents('li').children('div.value span').text()
+        == 'None (no value)'
+    )
+
+    wf.variables_formdef.fields[0].default_value = 'xxx'
+    wf.variables_formdef.fields[1].default_value = '2024-03-20'
+    wf.store()
+    resp = app.get('%sinspect' % formdata.get_url(backoffice=True), status=200)
+    assert (
+        resp.pyquery('[title="form_option_string_test"]').parents('li').children('div.value span').text()
+        == 'xxx'
+    )
+    assert (
+        resp.pyquery('[title="form_option_date_test"]').parents('li').children('div.value span').text()
+        == '2024-03-20'
+    )
+    assert (
+        resp.pyquery('[title="form_option_date_test_year"]').parents('li').children('div.value span').text()
+        == '2024 (integer number)'
+    )
+
+    formdef.workflow_options = {'string_test': 'yyy', 'date_test': datetime.date(2024, 3, 21).timetuple()}
+    formdef.store()
+    resp = app.get('%sinspect' % formdata.get_url(backoffice=True), status=200)
+    assert (
+        resp.pyquery('[title="form_option_string_test"]').parents('li').children('div.value span').text()
+        == 'yyy'
+    )
+    assert (
+        resp.pyquery('[title="form_option_date_test"]').parents('li').children('div.value span').text()
+        == '2024-03-21'
+    )
+    assert (
+        resp.pyquery('[title="form_option_date_test_year"]').parents('li').children('div.value span').text()
+        == '2024 (integer number)'
+    )
diff --git a/wcs/variables.py b/wcs/variables.py
index 7083d98a2..0857aee9b 100644
--- a/wcs/variables.py
+++ b/wcs/variables.py
@@ -757,8 +757,6 @@ class LazyFormDef:
 
     @property
     def option(self):
-        if not self._formdef.workflow.variables_formdef:
-            return {}
         return LazyFormDefOptions(self._formdef)
 
     @property
@@ -1989,14 +1987,20 @@ class LazyRequest:
 class LazyFormDefOptions(LazyFormDataVar):
     def __init__(self, formdef):
         self._formdef = formdef
-        fields = self._formdef.workflow.variables_formdef.fields
+        try:
+            fields = self._formdef.workflow.variables_formdef.fields
+        except AttributeError:
+            fields = []
         data = self._formdef.workflow_options or {}
         for field in fields:
             # change field IDs as options are stored in data with their
             # varnames, not id.
             field.id = field.varname or field.id
             if hasattr(field, 'default_value') and data.get(field.varname) is None:
-                data[field.varname] = field.default_value
+                if isinstance(field.default_value, str):
+                    data[field.varname] = field.convert_value_from_str(field.default_value)
+                else:
+                    data[field.varname] = field.default_value
         super().__init__(fields, data)
 
     def inspect_keys(self):