diff --git a/nodeformcols.module b/nodeformcols.module
index ffbf054..bd421cd 100644
--- a/nodeformcols.module
+++ b/nodeformcols.module
@@ -93,7 +93,17 @@ function nodeformcols_form_alter(&$form, $form_state, $form_id) {
     $placements = nodeformscols_field_placements($form['#node']->type, $variant);
     foreach ($placements as $key => $p) {
       if (isset($p['hidden']) && $p['hidden']) {
-        $form[$key]['#access'] = FALSE;
+        // If we have elected to hide the "Vertical Tabs", this means we want
+        // to hide anything in the additional_settings group.
+        if ($key == 'additional_settings') {
+          // we have to hide each of the child elements separately, and then
+          // the group will not get populated.
+          foreach (element_children($form) as $id) {
+            if (!empty($form[$id]['#group']) && $form[$id]['#group'] == 'additional_settings') {
+              $form[$id]['#access'] = FALSE;
+            }
+          }
+        }
       }
     }
     drupal_alter('nodeformcols_post_form', $form);