diff --git a/collects/mzlib/pretty.ss b/collects/mzlib/pretty.ss
index 3b3aca32d2..a51d85e092 100644
--- a/collects/mzlib/pretty.ss
+++ b/collects/mzlib/pretty.ss
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@
           symbols like-symbols)
          (make-pretty-print-style-table new-ht))))
 
-  (define pretty-print-abbreviate-read-macros (make-parameter #f))
+  (define pretty-print-abbreviate-read-macros (make-parameter #t))
   
    (define pretty-print-current-style-table 
      (make-parameter 
diff --git a/collects/tests/mzscheme/pretty.ss b/collects/tests/mzscheme/pretty.ss
index 9829a1b4cc..8dc7f71dff 100644
--- a/collects/tests/mzscheme/pretty.ss
+++ b/collects/tests/mzscheme/pretty.ss
@@ -73,6 +73,14 @@
                                   ht))
 
 
+(parameterize ([pretty-print-abbreviate-read-macros #f])
+  (test "(quote a)" pretty-format ''a)
+  (test "(quasiquote a)" pretty-format '`a)
+  (test "(unquote a)" pretty-format ',a)
+  (test "(unquote-splicing a)" pretty-format ',@a)
+  (test "(syntax a)" pretty-format '#'a))
+
+
 (test "(1\n 2)" pretty-format '(1 2) 2)
 (test "(1 2)" pretty-format '(1 2) 'infinity)