diff --git a/lib/config/config.go b/lib/config/config.go
index c58a4a32f..3c142d983 100644
--- a/lib/config/config.go
+++ b/lib/config/config.go
@@ -392,6 +392,7 @@ func convertV22V23(cfg *Configuration) {
 			err = fs.Remove(".stfolder")
 			if err == nil {
 				err = fs.Mkdir(".stfolder", permBits)
+				fs.Hide(".stfolder") // ignore error
 			}
 			if err != nil {
 				l.Fatalln("failed to upgrade folder marker:", err)
diff --git a/lib/model/model.go b/lib/model/model.go
index 72356e19f..7af6f39ca 100644
--- a/lib/model/model.go
+++ b/lib/model/model.go
@@ -253,7 +253,14 @@ func (m *Model) startFolderLocked(folder string) config.FolderType {
 		}
 	}
 
-	p := folderFactory(m, cfg, ver, fs.MtimeFS())
+	ffs := fs.MtimeFS()
+
+	// These are our metadata files, and they should always be hidden.
+	ffs.Hide(".stfolder")
+	ffs.Hide(".stversions")
+	ffs.Hide(".stignore")
+
+	p := folderFactory(m, cfg, ver, ffs)
 	m.folderRunners[folder] = p
 
 	m.warnAboutOverwritingProtectedFiles(folder)