diff --git a/app/models/course.rb b/app/models/course.rb
index aab3bab18d..01d9f37650 100644
--- a/app/models/course.rb
+++ b/app/models/course.rb
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ def open_for_user?(user)
   end
 
   def visible_for_user?(user)
-    visible_for_all? || (visible_for_institution? && institution == user&.institution) || user&.member_of?(self)
+    visible_for_all? || (visible_for_institution? && institution == user&.institution) || user&.member_of?(self) || user&.zeus?
   end
 
   def invalidate_subscribed_members_count_cache
diff --git a/test/system/courses_test.rb b/test/system/courses_test.rb
index 2634335f51..33a02da27c 100644
--- a/test/system/courses_test.rb
+++ b/test/system/courses_test.rb
@@ -57,4 +57,14 @@ class CoursesTest < ApplicationSystemTestCase
     # assert redirected to login page
     assert_selector 'h1', text: 'Sign in'
   end
+
+  test 'zeus should see activities in hidden courses' do
+    course = create :course, visibility: :hidden, series_count: 1, activities_per_series: 1
+
+    sign_in users(:zeus)
+    visit(course_path(:en, course.id))
+
+    # assert activity table is visible
+    assert_selector '.activity-table'
+  end
 end