diff --git a/config-dist.php b/config-dist.php
index fad1e5ec62e..c34ef3c281f 100644
--- a/config-dist.php
+++ b/config-dist.php
@@ -281,6 +281,9 @@ $CFG->admin = 'admin';
 //
 //     $CFG->emailconnectionerrorsto = 'your@emailaddress.com';
 // 
+// Restore pre-1.6 behaviour where courses could still be available
+// even if the category they were in was hidden
+//     $CFG->allowvisiblecoursesinhiddencategories = true;
 // 
 // NOTE: if you are using custompix in your theme, see /fixpix.php.
 
diff --git a/lib/datalib.php b/lib/datalib.php
index a8f1012a5ad..264e278ed25 100644
--- a/lib/datalib.php
+++ b/lib/datalib.php
@@ -3111,6 +3111,12 @@ function check_db_compat() {
 }
 
 function course_parent_visible($course = null) {
+    if (empty($course)) {
+        return true;
+    }
+    if (!empty($CFG->allowvisiblecoursesinhiddencategories)) {
+        return true;
+    }
     return category_parent_visible($course->category);
 }