diff --git a/src/core/DataHelper.ttslua b/src/core/DataHelper.ttslua
index c9594a9b..f2aa0b10 100644
--- a/src/core/DataHelper.ttslua
+++ b/src/core/DataHelper.ttslua
@@ -526,6 +526,11 @@ function setSpawnedPlayerCardGuid(params)
   end
 end
 
+-- deprecated, use metadata (GM Notes) instead (still used by custom data helpers)
+-- Encounter Cards with "Hidden."
+HIDDEN_CARD_DATA = {}
+
+-- called by "Global" during encounter card drawing
 function checkHiddenCard(name)
   for _, n in ipairs(HIDDEN_CARD_DATA) do
     if name == n then
@@ -535,6 +540,7 @@ function checkHiddenCard(name)
   return false
 end
 
+-- called by custom data helpers
 function updateHiddenCards(args)
   local custom_data_helper = getObjectFromGUID(args[1])
   local data_hiddenCards = custom_data_helper.getTable("HIDDEN_CARD_DATA")
@@ -565,12 +571,6 @@ end
 --   }
 -- }]])
 
--- deprecated, use metadata (GM Notes) instead
--- Encounter Cards with "Hidden."
--- HIDDEN_CARD_DATA = {
---  "Visions in Your Mind (Death)"
--- }
-
 -- deprecated, included in TokenManager
 -- PLAYER_CARD_TOKEN_OFFSETS = {
 --   [1] = {{ 0, 3, -0.2 }}
diff --git a/src/core/Global.ttslua b/src/core/Global.ttslua
index e3e7afbf..4fde9093 100644
--- a/src/core/Global.ttslua
+++ b/src/core/Global.ttslua
@@ -217,7 +217,8 @@ function actualEncounterCardDraw(card, params)
   local alwaysFaceUp = params[3]
   local faceUpRotation = 0
   if not alwaysFaceUp then
-    if getObjectFromGUID(DATA_HELPER_GUID).call('checkHiddenCard', card.getName()) then
+    local metadata = JSON.decode(card.getGMNotes()) or {}
+    if metadata.hidden or getObjectFromGUID(DATA_HELPER_GUID).call('checkHiddenCard', card.getName()) then
       faceUpRotation = 180
     end
   end