diff --git a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp
index 10bf4a8f9c..37f5276c8f 100644
--- a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp
@@ -73,8 +73,11 @@ void WiFiComponent::setup() {
       ESP_LOGV(TAG, "Setting Output Power Option failed!");
     }
 #ifdef USE_CAPTIVE_PORTAL
-    if (captive_portal::global_captive_portal != nullptr)
+    if (captive_portal::global_captive_portal != nullptr) {
+      this->wifi_sta_pre_setup_();
+      this->start_scanning();
       captive_portal::global_captive_portal->start();
+    }
 #endif
   }
 #ifdef USE_IMPROV