--- nodeformcols.module	2009-09-21 08:09:54.000000000 +0200
+++ nodeformcols.module.new	2013-04-10 09:36:11.000000000 +0200
@@ -171,7 +171,9 @@ function template_preprocess_node_form(&
         $field['#collapsed'] = $p['collapsed'];
       }
       $regions[$p['region']][$key] = $field;
-      $has_elements[$p['region']] = TRUE;
+      if (!$p['hidden']) {
+        $has_elements[$p['region']] = TRUE;
+      }
       unset($form[$key]);
     }
     else { // Set the default placement for unknown fields