diff --git a/pkg/rtc/mediatrack.go b/pkg/rtc/mediatrack.go
index 9adb21041..78bc3ee35 100644
--- a/pkg/rtc/mediatrack.go
+++ b/pkg/rtc/mediatrack.go
@@ -434,6 +434,8 @@ func (t *MediaTrack) SetMuted(muted bool) {
 	t.MediaTrackReceiver.SetMuted(muted)
 }
 
+// OnTrackSubscribed is called when the track is subscribed by a non-hidden subscriber
+// this allows the publisher to know when they should start sending data
 func (t *MediaTrack) OnTrackSubscribed() {
 	if !t.everSubscribed.Swap(true) && t.params.OnTrackEverSubscribed != nil {
 		go t.params.OnTrackEverSubscribed(t.ID())
diff --git a/pkg/rtc/mediatracksubscriptions.go b/pkg/rtc/mediatracksubscriptions.go
index dd5a65942..1933f69e4 100644
--- a/pkg/rtc/mediatracksubscriptions.go
+++ b/pkg/rtc/mediatracksubscriptions.go
@@ -162,11 +162,13 @@ func (t *MediaTrackSubscriptions) AddSubscriber(sub types.LocalParticipant, wr *
 		AdaptiveStream:    sub.GetAdaptiveStream(),
 	})
 
-	subTrack.AddOnBind(func(err error) {
-		if err == nil {
-			t.params.MediaTrack.OnTrackSubscribed()
-		}
-	})
+	if !sub.Hidden() {
+		subTrack.AddOnBind(func(err error) {
+			if err == nil {
+				t.params.MediaTrack.OnTrackSubscribed()
+			}
+		})
+	}
 
 	// Bind callback can happen from replaceTrack, so set it up early
 	var reusingTransceiver atomic.Bool