diff --git a/mailchimp.module b/mailchimp.module
index bc804d4..8a69f9d 100644
--- a/mailchimp.module
+++ b/mailchimp.module
@@ -1674,7 +1674,7 @@ function mailchimp_insert_drupal_form_tag($mergevar, $placeholder) {
 
   // Special cases for MailChimp hidden defined fields:
   if ($mergevar->public === FALSE) {
-    $input['#type'] = 'hidden';
+    $input['#access'] = FALSE;
   }
 
   return $input;