diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/access.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/access.py
index e8bff5d1b1da..f17aa6257f3c 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/access.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/access.py
@@ -394,6 +394,10 @@ def can_see_in_catalog():
         """
         return (
             _has_catalog_visibility(courselike, CATALOG_VISIBILITY_CATALOG_AND_ABOUT)
+            or (
+                _has_staff_access_to_descriptor(user, courselike, courselike.id)
+                and getattr(settings, "STAFF_CAN_SEE_IN_CATALOG", False)
+            )
         )
 
     @function_trace('can_see_about_page')