diff --git a/tests/admin_scripts/custom_templates/project_template/.hidden/render.py b/tests/admin_scripts/custom_templates/project_template/.hidden/render.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e076853b256
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/admin_scripts/custom_templates/project_template/.hidden/render.py
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+# The {{ project_name }} should be rendered.
diff --git a/tests/admin_scripts/tests.py b/tests/admin_scripts/tests.py
index a3ceb8ad751..bed9c61b31a 100644
--- a/tests/admin_scripts/tests.py
+++ b/tests/admin_scripts/tests.py
@@ -2214,6 +2214,24 @@ class StartProject(LiveServerTestCase, AdminScriptTestCase):
                 'Some non-ASCII text for testing ticket #18091:',
                 'üäö €'])
 
+    def test_custom_project_template_hidden_directory_default_excluded(self):
+        """Hidden directories are excluded by default."""
+        template_path = os.path.join(custom_templates_dir, 'project_template')
+        args = [
+            'startproject',
+            '--template',
+            template_path,
+            'custom_project_template_hidden_directories',
+            'project_dir',
+        ]
+        testproject_dir = os.path.join(self.test_dir, 'project_dir')
+        os.mkdir(testproject_dir)
+
+        _, err = self.run_django_admin(args)
+        self.assertNoOutput(err)
+        hidden_dir = os.path.join(testproject_dir, '.hidden')
+        self.assertIs(os.path.exists(hidden_dir), False)
+
 
 class StartApp(AdminScriptTestCase):