diff --git a/node_reference/node_reference.module b/node_reference/node_reference.module
index 6a1aa70..92e937c 100755
--- a/node_reference/node_reference.module
+++ b/node_reference/node_reference.module
@@ -6,6 +6,16 @@
  */
 
 /**
+ * Implements hook_perm().
+ */
+function node_reference_permission() {
+  $permissions['limit node published'] = array(
+    'title' => t('Limit access to published nodes.'),
+  );
+  return $permissions;
+}
+
+/**
  * Implements hook_menu().
  */
 function node_reference_menu() {
@@ -839,7 +849,7 @@ function _node_reference_potential_references_standard($field, $options) {
 
   $query = db_select('node', 'n');
 
-  if (!user_access('bypass node access')) {
+  if (!user_access('bypass node access') && user_access('limit node published')) {
     // If the user is able to view their own unpublished nodes, allow them to
     // see these in addition to published nodes. Check that they actually have
     // some unpublished nodes to view before adding the condition.