diff --git a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp
index ff621291f0..2cb36fe8ea 100644
--- a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp
@@ -40,6 +40,9 @@ void WiFiComponent::setup() {
   if (this->enable_on_boot_) {
     this->start();
   } else {
+#ifdef USE_ESP32
+    esp_netif_init();
+#endif
     this->state_ = WIFI_COMPONENT_STATE_DISABLED;
   }
 }