diff --git a/korman/exporter/etlight.py b/korman/exporter/etlight.py
index d55a8ae..8959f02 100644
--- a/korman/exporter/etlight.py
+++ b/korman/exporter/etlight.py
@@ -278,12 +278,19 @@ class LightBaker:
         uv_base = self._get_lightmap_uvtex(mesh, modifier)
         if uv_base is not None:
             uv_textures.active = uv_base
+
             # this will copy the UVs to the new UV texture
             uvtex = uv_textures.new("LIGHTMAPGEN")
             uv_textures.active = uvtex
-            self._associate_image_with_uvtex(uvtex, im)
-            # here we go...
+
+            # if the artist hid any UVs, they will not be baked to... fix this now
             bpy.ops.object.mode_set(mode="EDIT")
+            bpy.ops.uv.reveal()
+            bpy.ops.object.mode_set(mode="OBJECT")
+            self._associate_image_with_uvtex(uv_textures.active, im)
+            bpy.ops.object.mode_set(mode="EDIT")
+
+            # prep the uvtex for lightmapping
             bpy.ops.mesh.select_all(action="SELECT")
             bpy.ops.uv.average_islands_scale()
             bpy.ops.uv.pack_islands()