diff --git a/esphome/components/esp32_ble_tracker/esp32_ble_tracker.cpp b/esphome/components/esp32_ble_tracker/esp32_ble_tracker.cpp
index d7df6bd51c..62fcd51ccf 100644
--- a/esphome/components/esp32_ble_tracker/esp32_ble_tracker.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/esp32_ble_tracker/esp32_ble_tracker.cpp
@@ -155,10 +155,8 @@ void ESP32BLETracker::loop() {
     https://github.com/espressif/esp-idf/issues/6688
 
   */
-  bool promote_to_connecting = counts.discovered && !counts.connecting;
 
-  if (this->scanner_state_ == ScannerState::IDLE && !counts.connecting && !counts.disconnecting &&
-      !promote_to_connecting) {
+  if (this->scanner_state_ == ScannerState::IDLE && !counts.connecting && !counts.disconnecting && !counts.discovered) {
 #ifdef USE_ESP32_BLE_SOFTWARE_COEXISTENCE
     this->update_coex_preference_(false);
 #endif
@@ -167,12 +165,11 @@ void ESP32BLETracker::loop() {
     }
   }
   // If there is a discovered client and no connecting
-  // clients and no clients using the scanner to search for
-  // devices, then promote the discovered client to ready to connect.
+  // clients, then promote the discovered client to ready to connect.
   // We check both RUNNING and IDLE states because:
   // - RUNNING: gap_scan_event_handler initiates stop_scan_() but promotion can happen immediately
   // - IDLE: Scanner has already stopped (naturally or by gap_scan_event_handler)
-  if (promote_to_connecting &&
+  if (counts.discovered && !counts.connecting &&
       (this->scanner_state_ == ScannerState::RUNNING || this->scanner_state_ == ScannerState::IDLE)) {
     this->try_promote_discovered_clients_();
   }