diff --git a/esphome/components/wifi/__init__.py b/esphome/components/wifi/__init__.py
index 5856442877..ac31b340f7 100644
--- a/esphome/components/wifi/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/wifi/__init__.py
@@ -214,9 +214,9 @@ def _apply_min_auth_mode_default(config):
                 "If your router supports WPA2 or WPA3, no action is needed - the new default will be more secure. "
                 "If your router only supports WPA, explicitly set 'min_auth_mode: WPA' to maintain compatibility."
             )
-            config[CONF_MIN_AUTH_MODE] = WifiMinAuthMode.WIFI_MIN_AUTH_MODE_WPA
+            config[CONF_MIN_AUTH_MODE] = "WPA"
         elif CORE.is_esp32:
-            config[CONF_MIN_AUTH_MODE] = WifiMinAuthMode.WIFI_MIN_AUTH_MODE_WPA2
+            config[CONF_MIN_AUTH_MODE] = "WPA2"
     return config
 
 
@@ -459,7 +459,7 @@ async def to_code(config):
     cg.add(var.set_reboot_timeout(config[CONF_REBOOT_TIMEOUT]))
     cg.add(var.set_power_save_mode(config[CONF_POWER_SAVE_MODE]))
     if CONF_MIN_AUTH_MODE in config:
-        cg.add(var.set_min_auth_mode(config[CONF_MIN_AUTH_MODE]))
+        cg.add(var.set_min_auth_mode(WIFI_MIN_AUTH_MODES[config[CONF_MIN_AUTH_MODE]]))
     if config[CONF_FAST_CONNECT]:
         cg.add_define("USE_WIFI_FAST_CONNECT")
     cg.add(var.set_passive_scan(config[CONF_PASSIVE_SCAN]))