diff --git a/PKHeX.Core/Legality/Verifiers/Ability/AbilityVerifier.cs b/PKHeX.Core/Legality/Verifiers/Ability/AbilityVerifier.cs
index da90c4ead..2f1727a7d 100644
--- a/PKHeX.Core/Legality/Verifiers/Ability/AbilityVerifier.cs
+++ b/PKHeX.Core/Legality/Verifiers/Ability/AbilityVerifier.cs
@@ -66,11 +66,11 @@ public sealed class AbilityVerifier : Verifier
         }
 
         var enc = data.EncounterMatch;
-        if (pk.AbilityNumber == 4 && enc.Ability.CanBeHidden())
-            return VALID;
-
         if (format >= 8) // Ability Patch
         {
+            if (pk.AbilityNumber == 4 && enc.Ability.CanBeHidden())
+                return VALID;
+
             if (pk.AbilityNumber == 4)
             {
                 if (AbilityChangeRules.IsAbilityPatchPossible(data.Info.EvoChainsAllGens))