diff --git a/src/docformatter/util.py b/src/docformatter/util.py
index 61721a2..31c4a95 100644
--- a/src/docformatter/util.py
+++ b/src/docformatter/util.py
@@ -73,6 +73,10 @@ def is_excluded(name, excluded):
                     dirs[:] = []
                     continue
 
+                dirs[:] = [
+                    d for d in dirs if not is_hidden(d) and not is_excluded(d, exclude)
+                ]
+
                 files = sorted(
                     [
                         _file
diff --git a/tests/test_utility_functions.py b/tests/test_utility_functions.py
index 8c709f9..bcdbbc9 100644
--- a/tests/test_utility_functions.py
+++ b/tests/test_utility_functions.py
@@ -146,3 +146,22 @@ def test_find_py_files_skips_excluded_directory_and_continues(tmp_path):
     result = list(find_py_files([str(root)], recursive=True, exclude=["a_excluded"]))
 
     assert result == [str(included / "included.py")]
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_find_py_files_skips_hidden_directory_recursive(tmp_path):
+    """Skip hidden directories when recursing even if not in exclude."""
+    root = tmp_path / "project"
+    hidden = root / ".hidden"
+    nested_hidden = hidden / "nested"
+    visible = root / "visible"
+    nested_hidden.mkdir(parents=True)
+    visible.mkdir(parents=True)
+    (hidden / "hidden.py").touch()
+    (nested_hidden / "nested.py").touch()
+    (visible / "visible.py").touch()
+
+    result = list(find_py_files([str(root)], recursive=True, exclude=None))
+
+    assert result == [str(visible / "visible.py")]
+