diff --git a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp
index 5adc0c0489..c7c87c2343 100644
--- a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp
@@ -676,10 +676,10 @@ void WiFiComponent::save_wifi_sta(const std::string &ssid, const std::string &pa
   this->force_scan_after_provision_ = true;
 
   // Trigger connection attempt (exits cooldown if needed, no-op if already connecting/connected)
-  this->connect_soon();
+  this->connect_soon_();
 }
 
-void WiFiComponent::connect_soon() {
+void WiFiComponent::connect_soon_() {
   // Only trigger retry if we're in cooldown - if already connecting/connected, do nothing
   if (this->state_ == WIFI_COMPONENT_STATE_COOLDOWN) {
     ESP_LOGD(TAG, "Exiting cooldown early due to new WiFi credentials");
diff --git a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.h b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.h
index 270404dff5..f5d21af99d 100644
--- a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.h
+++ b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.h
@@ -425,6 +425,8 @@ class WiFiComponent : public Component {
     return true;
   }
 
+  void connect_soon_();
+
   void wifi_loop_();
   bool wifi_mode_(optional<bool> sta, optional<bool> ap);
   bool wifi_sta_pre_setup_();