diff --git a/changelog.txt b/changelog.txt
index f7163c15c..133c03839 100644
--- a/changelog.txt
+++ b/changelog.txt
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 * Fixed #184 - resetForm: should unset lastElement
 * Fixed #71 - improve existing time method and add time12h method for 12h am/pm time format
 * Fixed #177 - Fix validation of a single radio or checkbox input
+* Fixed #189 - :hidden elements are now ignored by default
 
 1.8.1
 ---
diff --git a/jquery.validate.js b/jquery.validate.js
index 1b1ae92ac..3eceb85f1 100644
--- a/jquery.validate.js
+++ b/jquery.validate.js
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ $.extend($.validator, {
 		errorContainer: $( [] ),
 		errorLabelContainer: $( [] ),
 		onsubmit: true,
-		ignore: [],
+		ignore: ":hidden",
 		ignoreTitle: false,
 		onfocusin: function(element) {
 			this.lastActive = element;
diff --git a/test/test.js b/test/test.js
index d06197c09..cbaa489dc 100644
--- a/test/test.js
+++ b/test/test.js
@@ -1159,3 +1159,30 @@ test("validate radio on click", function() {
 	trigger(e1);
 	errors(0);
 });
+
+test("ignore hidden elements", function(){
+    var form = $('#userForm');
+    var validate = form.validate({
+        rules:{
+            "username": "required"
+        }
+    });
+    form.get(0).reset();
+    ok(! validate.form(), "form should be initially invalid");
+    $('#userForm [name=username]').hide();
+    ok(validate.form(), "hidden elements should be ignored by default");
+});
+
+test("ignore hidden elements at start", function(){
+    var form = $('#userForm');
+    var validate = form.validate({
+        rules:{
+            "username": "required"
+        }
+    });
+    form.get(0).reset();
+    $('#userForm [name=username]').hide();
+    ok(validate.form(), "hidden elements should be ignored by default");
+    $('#userForm [name=username]').show();
+    ok(! validate.form(), "form should be invalid when required element is visible");
+});