diff --git a/modules/lang/org/config.el b/modules/lang/org/config.el
index a1d815bde..d5cee51b0 100644
--- a/modules/lang/org/config.el
+++ b/modules/lang/org/config.el
@@ -122,7 +122,12 @@ Is relative to `org-directory', unless it is absolute. Is used in Doom's default
           (?C . success))
         org-startup-indented t
         org-tags-column 0
-        org-use-sub-superscripts '{})
+        org-use-sub-superscripts '{}
+        ;; `showeverything' is org's default, but it doesn't respect
+        ;; `org-hide-block-startup' (#+startup: hideblocks), archive trees,
+        ;; hidden drawers, or VISIBILITY properties. `nil' is equivalent, but
+        ;; respects these settings.
+        org-startup-folded nil)
 
   (setq org-refile-targets
         '((nil :maxlevel . 3)