diff --git a/esphome/components/bh1750/bh1750.cpp b/esphome/components/bh1750/bh1750.cpp
index a2f94e1b4b..bd7c667c25 100644
--- a/esphome/components/bh1750/bh1750.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/bh1750/bh1750.cpp
@@ -131,7 +131,8 @@ void BH1750Sensor::loop() {
       this->process_coarse_result_(lx);
 
       // Start fine measurement with optimal settings
-      if (!this->start_measurement_(this->fine_mode_, this->fine_mtreg_, now)) {
+      // fetch millis() again since the read can take a bit
+      if (!this->start_measurement_(this->fine_mode_, this->fine_mtreg_, millis())) {
         this->fail_and_reset_();
         break;
       }