diff --git a/esphome/components/zephyr/hal.cpp b/esphome/components/zephyr/hal.cpp
index 6c405b650e..ad8ed5c95c 100644
--- a/esphome/components/zephyr/hal.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/zephyr/hal.cpp
@@ -46,6 +46,8 @@ void arch_init() {
     }
   }
 #endif
+  // feed watchdog early. Otherwise OTA may rollback.
+  arch_feed_wdt();
 }
 
 void arch_feed_wdt() {