diff --git a/compiler/rustc_privacy/src/lib.rs b/compiler/rustc_privacy/src/lib.rs
index 1bcfdf0faf6..6332130f80e 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_privacy/src/lib.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_privacy/src/lib.rs
@@ -832,8 +832,19 @@ impl Visitor<'tcx> for EmbargoVisitor<'tcx> {
     }
 
     fn visit_macro_def(&mut self, md: &'tcx hir::MacroDef<'tcx>) {
-        if attr::find_transparency(&self.tcx.sess, &md.attrs, md.ast.macro_rules).0
-            != Transparency::Opaque
+        // HACK (or fix?): a
+        // ```rust,ignore (dummy example)
+        // mod private {
+        //     #[rustc_macro_transparency(semitransparent)]
+        //     pub macro m { … }
+        // }
+        // ```
+        // is *not* `Public`ly reachable and yet this shortcut would express
+        // that.
+        // FIXME!
+        if md.ast.macro_rules
+            && attr::find_transparency(&self.tcx.sess, &md.attrs, md.ast.macro_rules).0
+                != Transparency::Opaque
         {
             self.update(md.hir_id, Some(AccessLevel::Public));
             return;