diff --git a/esphome/components/sen5x/sen5x.cpp b/esphome/components/sen5x/sen5x.cpp
index 0f27ec1b10..f3222221a2 100644
--- a/esphome/components/sen5x/sen5x.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/sen5x/sen5x.cpp
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ void SEN5XComponent::setup() {
       this->mark_failed();
       return;
     }
+    delay(20);  // per datasheet
 
     uint16_t raw_read_status;
     if (!this->read_data(raw_read_status)) {