diff --git a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp
index 634691a6d81..35b521cc28d 100644
--- a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp
@@ -1968,11 +1968,6 @@ void WiFiComponent::check_roaming_(uint32_t now) {
   if (!this->post_connect_roaming_)
     return;
 
-  // Guard: not for hidden networks (may not appear in scan)
-  const WiFiAP *selected = this->get_selected_sta_();
-  if (selected == nullptr || selected->get_hidden())
-    return;
-
   // Guard: attempt limit
   if (this->roaming_attempts_ >= ROAMING_MAX_ATTEMPTS)
     return;
@@ -1990,6 +1985,11 @@ void WiFiComponent::check_roaming_(uint32_t now) {
   if (current_rssi == WIFI_RSSI_DISCONNECTED)
     return;
 
+  // Guard: not for hidden networks (may not appear in scan)
+  const WiFiAP *selected = this->get_selected_sta_();
+  if (selected == nullptr || selected->get_hidden())
+    return;
+
   this->roaming_last_check_ = now;
   ESP_LOGD(TAG, "Roaming: scanning for better AP (current RSSI %d dBm)", current_rssi);
   this->roaming_scan_active_ = true;