diff --git a/doorstop/core/vcs/base.py b/doorstop/core/vcs/base.py
index ed553bfdc..5f96dd8af 100644
--- a/doorstop/core/vcs/base.py
+++ b/doorstop/core/vcs/base.py
@@ -94,8 +94,8 @@ def paths(self):
                     # Skip ignored paths
                     if self.ignored(relpath):
                         continue
-                    # Skip hidden paths
-                    if os.path.sep + "." in os.path.sep + relpath:
+                    # Skip hidden paths according to settings definition
+                    if not settings.ALLOW_HIDDEN_PATH_REFERENCES:
                         continue
                     self._path_cache.append((path, filename, relpath))
         yield from self._path_cache
diff --git a/doorstop/settings.py b/doorstop/settings.py
index 264ef02cb..3eed0dd53 100644
--- a/doorstop/settings.py
+++ b/doorstop/settings.py
@@ -24,6 +24,9 @@
 PLACEHOLDER = "..."  # placeholder for new item UIDs on export/import
 PLACEHOLDER_COUNT = 1  # number of placeholders to include on export
 
+# VCS Behaviour
+ALLOW_HIDDEN_PATH_REFERENCES=False
+
 # Formatting settings
 MAX_LINE_LENGTH = 79  # line length to trigger multiline on extended attributes