diff --git a/wcs/workflows.py b/wcs/workflows.py
index 344f80e1e..62f4bf467 100644
--- a/wcs/workflows.py
+++ b/wcs/workflows.py
@@ -2575,8 +2575,7 @@ class DisplayMessageWorkflowStatusItem(WorkflowStatusItem):
         if not (self.message and self.position == position and self.is_for_current_user(filled)):
             return ''
 
-        dict = {}
-        dict.update(get_publisher().substitutions.get_context_variables())
+        dict = copy.copy(get_publisher().substitutions.get_context_variables())
         dict['date'] = misc.localstrftime(filled.receipt_time)
         dict['number'] = filled.id
         handling_role = filled.get_handling_role()